With the 2024 NFL season almost to an end, the Pittsburgh Steelers are already working towards the 2025 season. With the Reese's Senior Bowl approaching, Head Coach Mike Tomlin will make his presence known, as he looks on at the future talent of the league. Tomlin will be a busy man, as the Steelers have many holes to fill for their 2025 roster. With the lack of depth in their wide receiver room to the unknown of who is leading the offensive huddle, Tomlin is going to have his head on a swivel throughout the practices in Mobile, Alabama.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin during 2024 OTAs.
The Steelers' first question that they must answer is the quarterback position. The organization was hoping either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson would have answered that for them, but it feels as if they are back to square one. The Steelers could go with the same route as they did this past season, adding a veteran quarterback like Aaron Rodgers or Sam Darnold, and hope that they could help end their playoff win drought. On the other hand, 93.7 The Fan's Andrew Fillipponi's source believes that the Steelers could find their next franchise quarterback in Mobile.
"There are Steelers scouts who 'love' Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe," said Fillipponi's source. "Believe he's a 1st round talent. And potential franchise quarterback. Mike Tomlin will see him next week at the Senior Bowl. Stay tuned."
Jalen Milroe, who was a two-year starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide, is known for his elusive running ability. He finished his senior season with 2,844 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, but also added 726 yards on the ground with 20 touchdowns. With the sacks that the Steelers continued to take last season, a guy like Milroe could peak the interest of the Steelers organization.
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Alabama's Jalen Milroe tries to get past Wisconsin's Hunter Wohler during the first half of their matchup in 2024.
With questions of about Milroe's ability to protect the ball as he threw 11 interceptions and fumbling nine times (which six were recovered by the opposing team this past season), he wouldn't be labeled as a year one starter. The Steelers have made it known that they are in win now mode and a project pick wouldn't make sense. It could make sense if they do add another bridge quarterback in the offseason as many analysts believe that could be their route. Allowing a year of development and learning behind a veteran could help Milroe in becoming the franchise guy that the Steelers have been searching for since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement.
The Steelers will explore all of their options before the 2025 NFL Draft. They will start with the two quarterbacks that got starts for them last season. While both Fields and Wilson showed the positives that they can bring to the Steelers organization, they do not seem to be completely sold on either one of them. Wilson's fall in the end of the season has raised concerns if he has truly lost his edge due to his age and Fields' small sample size likely didn't show them enough when it came to the passing game.
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Steelers quarterback Justin Fields runs off the playing surface following a Week 6 game against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, NV.
Steelers' Answer For Their 2025 Quarterback Could Already Be In The Building
If the Steelers are looking for a quarterback that can be mobile outside of the pocket, they have one still in the building, but not for long. Fields has been in their system for a full season and wants to stay. Tomlin has already stated that Fields has done enough for them to look at him as their starter in 2025, but if a deal doesn't work out, Milroe could become more of a clear option in April. Free agency will give a good insight of what Omar Khan and Tomlin are thinking heading into the draft. With a good amount of cap space currently and knowing that Khan will try to free up some more, they could fill a lot of needs before the draft.
Should the Steelers spend their first round pick on Milroe? Who do you think the Steelers' 2025 starting quarterback will be? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
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