The Pittsburgh Steelers have some big decisions to make at the most important position in football. They seem content with waiting on 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to take his time and decide if he wants to come start for them in 2025. But whether he does or doesn’t, the Steelers will still need to think about the long-term future of the position—something they’ve yet to truly solve since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
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Former Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a professional football game on the road.
That’s why many analysts believe the Steelers will look to the 2025 NFL Draft to address the quarterback spot, even though the upcoming class is widely considered one of the weakest in years. Some of the names being floated include a potential fall from Shedeur Sanders or the idea of taking an early flyer on Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart. While neither option feels like a sure thing, it’s clear the team can’t afford to ignore the position much longer.
Tony Dungy added fuel to the conversation during an appearance on NBC Sports Thursday, offering what he believes is the smartest move for Pittsburgh. Dungy surprised many by naming Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel as the ideal first-round pick for the Steelers. It was a bold take, especially considering Gabriel hasn’t received the same level of hype as others, but Dungy pointed to Gabriel’s experience, accuracy, and decision-making as the traits Pittsburgh desperately needs under center.
"Well, I tell you what—the highest-rated guy on my board is Will Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan," Dungy said. "I think he’s gonna be an exceptional player, and some teams above us should look at him. We really need offensive linemen—that could be a pick—but we have to address the quarterback position."
Gabriel is a shocking choice at the 21st overall spot, especially considering most projections have him going in the fourth, fifth, or even sixth-round. However, Dungy sees shades of Bo Nix in Gabriel and believes he’s worth the Steelers reaching significantly to grab him that early.
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Former Oregon Ducks, UCF and Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel celebrates after a big win during college.
It’s the kind of pick that would undoubtedly draw heavy criticism if it came to pass—but Dungy clearly thinks the reward could outweigh the risk.
"I'm gonna make a shocking pick here and take Dillon Gabriel from Oregon," Dungy said. "I think he’s a Bo Nix clone. He played six years in college football, has thrown over 1,300 passes, he’s got a high completion percentage, doesn’t throw interceptions, he’s mobile, and yeah, he doesn’t have the big name like Sanders, but to me, he’s a guy who can come in and fix that quarterback position."
Dungy had a strong feeling about Nix heading into the 2024 NFL Draft, and now he feels that same conviction about Gabriel. While he admitted he'd prefer the idea of trading back to select Gabriel later—knowing most teams don’t value the Ducks quarterback as highly as he does—Dungy made it clear he believes Gabriel is worth securing, even if it means taking him earlier than expected.
That’s where the controversy begins for Steelers fans, as Gabriel is widely projected to go in the third-round or later, making a first-round selection feel like a major reach.
Steelers Fans Would Likely Hate Drafting Dillon Gabriel At 21
What makes Dungy's stance so surprising is how out of step it is with consensus evaluations. In a quarterback class already considered weak, Gabriel isn’t ranked near the top by most scouts. The idea of drafting him at No. 21 overall would draw immediate backlash, especially when he could likely be available much later. For a fanbase already frustrated with uncertainty at the position, using a premium pick on a mid-round prospect would be a tough sell.
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Steelers fans celebrate during the draft.
Still, Dungy believes the Steelers shouldn't risk missing out. He views Gabriel as an instant solution to the team’s lack of a long-term plan at quarterback. Gabriel did put together a strong final season in college, showing off accuracy, mobility, and leadership—but whether that translates to the NFL remains a major question mark. While most wouldn’t dare to make that call in the first round, Dungy is convinced the Steelers would be making the right move.
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