The clock is ticking towards the 2025 NFL Draft, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in high gear, ensuring every facet of the organization is ready. As the front office meticulously evaluates positional targets and engages with prospects, the media spotlight remains fixed on their urgent need to find a starting quarterback. Despite swirling media rumors linking veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh, the upcoming NFL Draft presents the Steelers with a crucial opportunity to secure their long-term franchise quarterback.
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Aaron Rodgers stands with Mike Tomlin before a game while he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers.
Despite being connected to a wide range of quarterback prospects leading up to the draft, the Steelers' choice to send their quarterback coach to North Dakota State for an in-person meeting with quarterback prospect Cam Miller highlights a notable level of interest. Adding further context, ESPN's Adam Schefter shared in a recent article that the Steelers were one of just three teams that made similar quarterback coach visits in the preceding month.
"The Steelers, [New York] Jets and [Denver] Broncos all sent their quarterback coaches to North Dakota State last month to meet with [Cam] Miller, who is expected to be a late-round pick," Schefter shared.
With the 2025 NFL Draft rapidly approaching, the Steelers are currently positioned to make their first selection at the 21st overall pick. However, their draft capital is notably impacted by the acquisition of veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf, a significant addition to their receiving corps that came at the cost of their second-round pick. This absence of a second-round selection presents a considerable challenge for the team as they navigate their strategy of through the draft.
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2025 NFL Draft quarterback prospect Cam Miller during a college game.
Given their lack of a second-round pick in the upcoming draft, it comes as no surprise that the Steelers appear to be focusing on evaluating quarterback prospects who are projected to be available in the later rounds. Schefter's analysis, suggesting Miller could be a late-round selection, aligns well with a potential Steelers strategy of addressing other positional needs with their earlier picks. This approach is likely contributing to the varied first-round projections in mock drafts, leaving fans uncertain about the team's primary focus. The absence of a second-round pick undeniably amplifies the significance and pressure associated with their crucial first-round selection.
Numerous reports suggest the Steelers are committed to finding their long-term franchise quarterback through the draft, with the potential to make that selection either in the upcoming draft or the following year's. This plan remains in place regardless of whether Rodgers ultimately signs with the team. However, given the evaluation of other positional needs and the significant gap until their next pick in the third round, there's a strong likelihood the Steelers will prioritize acquiring a player with their first-round selection who is unlikely to still be available when they pick again.
Steelers Could Be A Good Fit For Miller
This meeting with the Steelers provides a significant boost to Miller's chances of being drafted by the team. For those unfamiliar with the North Dakota State quarterback, Miller boasts impressive statistics, including 33 touchdown passes against a mere four interceptions, as reported by Schefter. This ball-security oriented performance appears to align favorably with the type of quarterback Head Coach Mike Tomlin typically seeks in a prospect, someone who can keep possession.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin yells at his team during a regular season game.
Drafting any player involves an element of risk, but it also presents the potential for significant reward. For the Steelers, the upcoming draft offers a chance to develop a young quarterback into the long-term franchise cornerstone they seek. Capitalizing on a late-round pick could yield a tremendous return, as the later rounds often contain overlooked talent due to the diverse needs and evaluations of different teams, among other variables. The draft's history is filled with examples of late-round selections who went on to have a profound and enduring impact on their respective organizations.
Would you like to see the Steelers draft a late-round quarterback like Miller? Let us know in the comments below!
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