The Pittsburgh Steelers, who are currently without a starting quarterback, have missed out on a potential signal-caller for next season. Former New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys. Milton's name was thrown around in the conversation of who the Steelers should land as a quarterback this offseason. However, it would seem that the team has its heart set on veteran Aaron Rodgers. Regardless of the organization's faith in the former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets quarterback, many fans aren't as enthusiastic about the prospect of Rodgers being a Pittsburgh Steeler. Debating between a 41-year-old Rodgers and Milton begs the question: would either one be anyone's first choice?
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Former Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III throws the football during a home game in New England.
On Thursday on 93.7 The Fan, hosts Andrew Fillipponi and Chris Mueller covered the trade between the Patriots and Cowboys for Milton. The disappointment at missing out on the quarterback voiced by some Steelers fans is another result of the Steelers' rocky signal-caller situation.
"The fact that we're even having this conversation period, and that there were Steelers fans that are disappointed by this news, speaks to a larger point about the Steelers," said Fillipponi. "Joe Milton is a conversation piece."
The fact that the debate surrounding the Steelers' next quarterback has come to revolve around Rodgers and Milton, two signal-callers who have had an underwhelming last few years, shows the dire situation the Pittsburgh quarterback room is in going into for the 2025 season.
Mueller compared the situation to how Cleveland Browns fans must feel talking about their quarterback prospects. It's a damning comparison for the Steelers, but it's sadly a relevant one given the team's position.
AP Photo / Michael Ainsworth
Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin speaks with Cowboys' Jerry Jones before a game.
Steelers Likely Never Showed Strong Enough Interest In Milton
Although Milton was named a potential quarterback for the Steelers, it may be the case that within the organization itself, he was never a serious candidate. Fillipponi said that while General Manager Omar Khan may have looked into Milton, but Head Coach Mike Tomlin was never interested.
"There is no evidence that Tomlin has even been curious about this player," said Fillipponi. "When they were at the [NFL] Combine, they didn't meet with him. When he came out of Tennessee, they sent Kevin Colbert's son to Tennessee's Pro Day."
Fillipponi also mentioned all of the visits the Steelers had with potential prospects, and that Milton never met with the team. The Steelers could have asked the Patriots about Milton, but the fact that they seemingly didn't even try suggests that the Steelers don't see the former Patriots quarterback as a real asset. Recent conflicting reports to Fillipponi and Mueller however, suggest that there was at least some interest in Milton before he was traded.
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Former Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III shakes hands with New England Owner Robert Kraft before a home game.
Mueller continues to argue that the Steelers may have been able to develop Milton as a quarterback with the right coaching, although it would be a lot of work. Milton has a talent for throwing long-distance passes, however, his touchdown versus interception rate suggests the quarterback can't always tell where the ball is going once it leaves his hands.
Fillipponi pointed out Milton's lackluster final year in college as one reason why the Steelers may not have wanted to trade for the quarterback.
"His final season at Tennessee in 2023, in SEC games, not playing against some rinky-dink school, he threw 12 touchdowns to five interceptions," said Fillipponi.
Four of those touchdowns were in a single game against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Ignoring that game, Milton had an SEC record of eight touchdowns and five interceptions -- not necessarily the stuff of a player who will save your organization.
The Steelers could have dodged a bullet by not trading for Milton, but if Milton is developed as a starter, it isn't known how good he could become. At this point, the bottom line is that the Steelers' options are limited, and Milton's trade to the Cowboys has only narrowed the playing field even more.
Do you think the Steelers are missing out by not getting Milton? Did you want Pittsburgh to land Milton to be the Steelers' starting quarterback? Let us know in the comments.
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