The Pittsburgh Steelers have been on the fringe of the postseason for the last several years, and when the team is able to get into the single-elimination tournament there has been a struggle finding any success. The organization has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the drought has made the fan base grow impatient and frustrated. In order to break this drought the organization needs to upgrade the quarterback position, as it is essentially impossible to compete in the NFL without a top-tier passer.
AP Photo / Matt Freed
Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game during the 2024 season.
Pittsburgh is still deciding on the future of both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but the franchise could go in a completely different direction. Team President Art Rooney II seems content with signing either Fields or Wilson to be the starter for the 2025 season, but the Steelers would be doing themselves a disservice not to look elsewhere. One name that was considered to be available was Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who could potentially be traded.
The trade speculation began after the Rams were eliminated in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, and it became magnified after the organization announced its plans to deal Stafford's long-time favorite target Cooper Kupp. The Steelers will likely look into Kupp, but any hope of landing Stafford seems to be gone after reports from ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler.
"Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is likely to return to LA in 2025, according to sources close to the situation." Graziano wrote. "The past two seasons have been good for Stafford, who turned 37 on Friday and believes the Rams' leadership gives them the ability to contend every year."
The Rams traded for Stafford ahead of the 2021 season. The organization saw immediate success as Los Angeles won Super Bowl LVI in Stafford's first season with the team, and the Rams have been a playoff team in all but one season of Stafford's tenure. The quarterback is on the tail-end of his career as he recently turned 37-years old, and there was some speculation that he would consider retirement. The veteran seems set to play in 2025, but it may be back with the Rams.
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Rams' Matthew Stafford sets to throw during the 2024 season.
It would be understandable if the Rams decided to move on from Stafford as he nears the end of his career. However, the quarterback wants to be in Los Angeles and he seems to give his team the best chance to succeed. The Rams were just a couple plays away from playing in the NFC Championship game at the end of the 2024 season, and the organization will look to repeat that success in 2025. Fowler provided additional reports solidifying Stafford's future in Los Angeles.
"By all accounts, Stafford was happy with the direction of the offense this season, and multiple people with the team say it doesn't seem as if changes are coming." Fowler wrote.
The Rams have all the tools to succeed when healthy. They have great offensive weapons in Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams, as well as a reliable tight end in Tyler Higbee.
Defensively, the Rams are young, but there is a ton of potential with the unit as they had two rookies become finalist for the NFL's Defensive Rookie Of The Year Award. It wouldn't make much sense to trade away a top-10 quarterback with that much talent on the roster, especially with a less-than mediocre quarterback class entering the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin sit in the franchise's draft room as they anxiously watch the board in 2023.
Steelers Still Need To Inquire About Matthew Stafford
The end of the 2024 season was extremely frustrating in Pittsburgh, but it isn't crazy to say an upgrade at quarterback could dramatically increase the team's potential. The arsenal of weapons on offense for Pittsburgh is nowhere near as impressive as it is in Los Angeles, but another good draft or a few offseason moves could change that.
The worst the Rams could say is that they aren't interested in trading the quarterback, so it couldn't hurt to make some calls. The Steelers will certainly be inquiring about Kupp, so attempting to land a package deal isn't out of the realm of possibility. However, it seems as though Stafford is staying put.
What do you think the Steelers best option is at quarterback in 2025? Let us know in the comments below!
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