The Pittsburgh Steelers have a big dilemma coming up at the quarterback position. Besides the Aaron Rodgers saga, the 2025 NFL Draft is filled with so many passers with conflicting stock. The fact that they don't have a second-round pick makes things a little tougher. They have to decide if they want to pass on the best defensive tackles in the class to reach for a quarterback early, trade into the second-round for one, or wait and hope that their guy falls to them in the middle rounds.
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University of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on the run during a collegiate football game.
While making an appearance on The Arthur Moats Experience, former Steelers offensive lineman Trai Essex was asked about the quarterback situation as a whole. He went from coming to terms with the team signing Rodgers, to getting excited about one of the many prospects available in 2025.
"If we can get a guy like Jaxson Dart, that would be ideal because he has some of that Ben [Roethlisberger], some of that Josh Allen in him," explained Essex. "Coming from a high-powered offense with [Lane] Kiffin down in Ole Miss, he knows how to sling that thing around too."
Jaxson Dart's stock has been all over the place. Some analysts believe he will be selected within the first 10 picks; others think he would go somewhere in Day 2. There is no real accurate way to figure out exactly where he will go and in what round. If Essex's scouting report is correct, however, Pittsburgh may want to not take any chances and make sure to draft him at Pick 21 if he is available.
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Former Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart throwing a pass during a game.
Ben Roethlisberger and Josh Allen definitely have some similarities (including the former's prime of his career): both are known for being big, physical quarterbacks with rocket arms and the ability to escape sacks at will. Allen is a lot faster and more athletic than Roethlisberger, of course, but the two were still near the top of the quarterback mountain.
Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls while playing in three of them. Meanwhile, Allen just won his first MVP title. Who knows if Dart can reach that level, but if he can, then the Steelers can finally fix their quarterback conundrum once and for all. They have not had any answers to replacing Roethlisberger since he was in his decline, and that needs to change as soon as possible.
Dart is smaller than both Roethlisberger and Allen though. His combine measurements came at 6'2" and 223 pounds, with NFL.com listing him as a "good backup with the potential to develop into starter." Essex's take on him could still be right if his strength all around is top tier, but he likely won't be a Day 1 starter on any team in his rookie year.
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Former Ole Miss quarterback, Jaxson Dart throwing a pass during Pro Day.
Steelers Need To Take Their Time With Dart
If Dart will be even close to being as good those two stars, he will need to sit in his first year and learn as a backup. Like with many quarterbacks in this draft, he is a project that could blossom if he is given enough time to develop properly. Who knows if he will be good in his second year, but that's not always the cutoff time for first-round prospects.
Roethlisberger sat in the first two games of his rookie year before taking the world by storm, and Allen only played in 11 games after being drafted initially. In fact, the latter passer was not seen as a good option until his third year in the league, when he was named the runner-up MVP. It will be ok if Dart doesn't come into the NFL guns a-blazing. Time will tell on how well this kid can really play.
What do you think about Essex's scouting report on Dart? Do you think he is similar to Roethlisberger and Allen? Should the Steelers draft him? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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