The Pittsburgh Steelers' struggle to find a starting quarterback for the 2025 NFL season has begun to cost them in other areas. Aaron Rodgers and Russel Wilson seem to be slipping from the Steelers' grasp more and more, and Steelers veteran QB Mason Rudolph is currently not a viable starter in the eyes of many fans and pundits.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph didn't get the mentoring he hoped for in the NFL thanks to Ben Roethlisberger's ego.
Ray Fittipaldo, a Steelers reporter for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, said on The North Shore Drive podcast on Friday, that the Steelers' lack of a clear starter has been deterring potential targets during free agency. It's become a bad look for the team to be waiting this long for a quarterback, leaving fans and their own players in a state of suspense.
"In regards to the prolonged hunt for Rodgers or another quarterback, the longer this goes on, it's bad news for the Steelers," explained Fittipaldo.
Fittipaldo noted that it's an interesting situation the team has put themselves in. The 41-year-old Rodgers may not seem to have much swing in negotiating a place on a new team for himself. Yet, a week after Rodgers became available, the Steelers still seem to be holding out for his decision.
Many teams decided to let their 2024 quarterbacks go, to not overpay for just an average signal-caller, and to free up cap space. Such was the case with Geno Smith leaving the Seattle Seahawks in a trade, and that could have been the Steelers' mindset when letting Wilson test out free agency. Unfortunately, the Steelers' gamble has yet to pay off, as they are still left without a starting quarterback for 2025 not named Rudolph.
Assuming the Steelers don't opt to trade up in the upcoming draft and get a quarterback, they've put themselves in a difficult position. No one left on the market has franchise quarterback potential. Whoever Pittsburgh lands will likely be an older player, and could be less appealing to other potential free agents.
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Steelers' DK Metcalf looks on before a game in the 2020 season with the Seattle Seahawks.
Despite the mystery around the Steelers' future signal-caller, the team has managed to sign some big names. Wide receiver DK Metcalf said in his inaugural press conference with the Steelers that he wasn't concerned about the Steelers' lack of a quarterback and that he was confident that the Steelers' brass would handle the situation.
Former Philadelphia Eagles running back, Kenneth Gainwell, seemed to share Metcalf's optimism at his own introductory press conference.
"Concerning the Steelers' lack of a starting quarterback, I don’t know," Gainwell explained. "Like I said, it is my first day here, so hopefully we find the greatest quarterback out there that we can."
The Steelers' newsiest free agency signing is Daniel Ekuale, a defensive tackle from the New England Patriots. Fittipaldo says that Ekuale is a solid depth signing, but nothing more, and that the Steelers should still sign a defensive tackle early in the draft.
"If this is anything but a depth signing, then the Steelers' defensive line is going to be in bad shape in 2025," Fittipaldo said.
Ekuale is 31 years old and only had his first start last season with the Patriots. Fittipaldo said that whatever defensive lineman the Steelers select early in the draft is most likely to be the starter, with Ekuale being number four or five on the depth chart, and likely being on the field for only 10 to 15 plays a game.
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Daniel Ekuale during his time with the Patriots.
Steelers Continue To Have Question Marks Heading Into 2025 NFL Draft
Besides a quarterback, it is unlikely that the Steelers will land any other star players in free agency at this point. If a starting signal-caller is found, Pittsburgh may become a more appealing home for free agents still on the market. However, it is likely the Steelers will have to turn to the draft to solve many of the team's remaining problems.
Do you think free agents would want to sign with Pittsburgh? Or is the lack of a quarterback a deal breaker for many? Let us know in the comments!
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