The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads this offseason, especially after a disappointing end to the 2024 season where they lost their final four regular-season games and were ousted from the playoffs by the Baltimore Ravens.
Despite making it to the postseason in four of the past five years, the franchise hasn’t secured a playoff victory since January 2017, highlighting their struggle to break from mediocrity.
The quarterback position is one of the most pressing concerns for Pittsburgh.
Russell Wilson, who was the primary starter, showed flashes of his former glory early in the season but faltered significantly towards its end, signaling perhaps that his best days are behind him. On the other hand, Justin Fields, who started several games at the season’s outset, managed a 4-2 record, demonstrating potential with ten touchdowns and only two turnovers.
Both Wilson and Fields are set to become unrestricted free agents this offseason, prompting Steelers’ general manager Omar Khan to potentially look elsewhere for a new starting quarterback.
According to Alan Saunders of Steelers Now, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith could be a viable trade target.
“The Seahawks had a new head coach in 2024 in Mike McDonald, Geno Smith is entering the final year of his contract, when he’ll be 35 years old,” Saunders wrote. “It’s hard to imagine him being back after that, and so why go through a lame duck season?”
“Smith will probably cost a good bit in a trade, and is also owed $31 million in 2025 under his current contract, so this would be an expensive addition,” Saunders added.
Geno Smith has had a career resurgence in Seattle, earning Pro Bowl nods in 2022 and 2023, and leading the Seahawks to three consecutive seasons with a winning record, including a playoff appearance in 2022.
His precision in passing is notable, having completed 70.4% of his passes in 2024, and he led the league in completion percentage in 2022 at 69.8%.
Smith represents an intriguing option for the Steelers. Known for his accuracy, he could serve as a reliable bridge quarterback, fitting well into an offensive strategy that leverages a strong rushing attack and effective play-action passing. His experience in the tough NFC West could translate well to the competitive AFC North, providing Pittsburgh with a quarterback who has proven he can manage and win games.
As the Pittsburgh Steelers look to rebuild or retool their quarterback room, Geno Smith’s name could become increasingly prominent in discussions, offering a blend of experience, performance, and a known contract value, albeit at a significant cost in terms of trade assets and salary cap space.
