The Pittsburgh Steelers were in the sports news cycle throughout the 2024 offseason. Most of the pundits in the national media were focused on the quarterback situation. After nearly two decades of Ben Roethlisberger, the organization immediately looked for his replacement after drafting Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. That relationship ended rather quickly, and Pickett was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. Mitch Trubisky and Mason Rudolph also departed the Steel City after the 2023 campaign, leading to a revamped quarterback room including Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen.
%202023%20Camp%20Final%20with%20Logos/2L9A5123-544x306.jpg "Steelers Kenny Pickett")
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Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (#8) makes a throw during a 2023 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Wilson is playing for the Steelers on a veteran minimum contract thanks to massive organizational failures by the Denver Broncos. He was always in pole position to be the starter for Pittsburgh and remains atop the depth chart, but a calf injury held him out of several practices in training camp, which allowed Fields to showcase his skills for several weeks in a row. That injury for Wilson popped back up in preparation for the team's Week 1 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
The first two games of the 2024 NFL season were extremely entertaining, but game two featuring the Eagles and Green Bay Packers ended with a very unfortunate injury to Packers quarterback Jordan Love. The signal-caller went down in a ton of pain after being rolled up on, and his status for the remainder of the season is currently unknown.
When the Packers land, Jordan Love will get an MRI. I’m told an ankle injury has been ruled out at this point.
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) September 7, 2024
Right now, it’s just wait-and-see for more information on the injury.
While no one is quite sure what the extent of Love's injury is, it's possible that he misses several weeks, months, or the entire season. Malik Willis was recently traded for, but doesn't have a great track record at the professional level. Willis has only started three games since he was drafted back in 2022, and it's very likely that the Packers will explore external options to help in the quarterback room if Love is indeed out long-term.
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Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Malik Willis gets out of the pocket to run during a 2022 regular season game in Nashville, TN.
There are many questions surrounding Pittsburgh's quarterback room, and the injury to Wilson makes things even more interesting. One underrated piece of the puzzle throughout the offseason was Allen. He didn't play much, but had a strong camp and performed well during the preseason snaps he was afforded. The veteran has 19 starts in the NFL, and could be an attractive option for the Packers.
The Steelers don't necessarily need to keep Allen around, although, Wilson's lingering injury makes one believe that it can't hurt to have him as the third guy on the depth chart. Overall, Allen would be worth a late-round pick if he were dealt to Green Bay, but that could be a sixth-rounder that ends up replacing the one the Steelers gave up in order to acquire Fields.
The biggest name to keep an eye on in this whole situation is Ryan Tannehill, who played with Willis while both were with the Tennessee Titans. Tannehill remains a free agent and would likely start almost immediately for Green Bay. If that weren't to happen, though, it's very possible that the Packers pursue a signal-caller with starting experience via trade. Allen should be regarded as one of the best third-string quarterbacks in the league, making his candidacy a possibility.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Kyle Allen put his helmet on and prepares to walk out to a team practice.
Steelers Trading Allen Doesn't Affect Overall Goals For 2024 Season
Allen has been in the quarterback room throughout the offseason, but isn't an integral piece to the team's success. Green Bay is going to be interested in external options, even if Love isn't out for the entire season. Fans will know more after he gets checked out upon arrival in Green Bay, but the play didn't look very good. General Manager Omar Khan should be on the phone with the Packers if it is season-ending for Love, and Allen should be offered up if desired.
Do you think the Steelers would trade Allen to the Packers? Let us know in the comments below!
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