Urgency Builds For Steelers As 2025 QB Class Now Expected To Go Fast

It seems to be all but confirmed that the Pittsburgh Steelers will draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, whether they sign Aaron Rodgers or not. The only question is which round they will select one in. The first-round is an option, but they may be better off drafting a defensive tackle then and waiting until the middle rounds to see who is available at the signal-caller position. In a supposedly weak quarterback class, Pittsburgh should be able to find a guy it likes in the middle rounds. However, no one will know until draft day comes around. 

While making an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, insider Tom Pelissero brought up the ever-changing landscape of the quarterback class, as there seems to not be a consensus ranking outside of the top prospect, Cam Ward. He mentioned the next five passers that are expected to go after Ward are Shedeur Sanders, Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Quinn Ewers. 

Theoretically, the Steelers should be able to get one of those options in the third-round. However, Pelissero's sources say otherwise. 

"I talked to somebody I really respect in the league last week who said they don't think any of those guys I just mentioned of those five is going to go later than the top two [rounds], so you could have some real maneuvering as they get later into the first round," said Pelissero. 

If that is true, the Steelers are put in a lose-lose situation. Either they reach for a quarterback in the first-round, or they snooze and lose out on their top options by the time they're ready to select again in the third-round. The Steelers don't have a second-round pick due to their recent trade for DK Metcalf. These options are not ideal for Pittsburgh, and it puts them in a predicament. 

Sanders is seen as a starting-caliber quarterback now, but he has a lot of questions about his maturity. If he falls to them at 21, the Steelers have to figure out if he's worth the risk. If not, Milroe is an option as a project that can sit on the bench in his rookie year and learn until his number is called. That is if they don't draft a defensive tackle in the first-round, of course. 

Trading up from the third-round into the second is also an option, but it would be somewhat expensive, likely costing them a 2026 pick. Pittsburgh doesn't have enough capital in 2025 to make that type of move currently. Luckily, they are expected to have four compensatory picks in the future, which makes it easier on them to make the deal if these passers fly off the board like Pelissero expects them to. 

Steelers' Options If They Miss Out On The First Six QBs

While waiting could make them sweat, missing out on the top options could allow Pittsburgh to wait. Six quarterbacks were drafted in the top 12 picks in 2024. There was not another quarterback selected until the 150th pick overall, which was in Round 5. If something like that happens again, the Steelers may be able to wait an extra round or two before picking the next best option. 

The Steelers' next option would likely be Will Howard, as it was revealed that they did have dinner with him around the time of his Pro Day. If they can snag him in the fourth-round, they likely won't complain too much about how the quarterback draft went ahead of them, especially if they fill needs elsewhere.

General Manager Omar Khan previously said that he tries to make it so he can pick the best player available at his selection throughout the entire draft, as opposed to filling a need with a reach. That sounds like they may be content if the draft shakes up the way Pelissero's sources believe they will. There is still plenty of time to figure out how good these prospects are before the big day.

What do you think about Pelissero's projected quarterback run in the draft? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.

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