The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a bold move to secure their quarterback of the present, signing former Kansas City Chiefs QB Carson Wentz to a one-year contract to serve as their starting QB1 for the 2025 season. The deal, confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter, comes as the Steelers aim to capitalize on a loaded roster and end a seven-year playoff win drought with a signal-caller who’s tasted Super Bowl glory.
Wentz, 32, joins Pittsburgh after a stint as a backup with the Chiefs in 2024, where he appeared in limited action behind Patrick Mahomes, throwing for approximately 300 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception across mop-up duties. A former No. 2 overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016, Wentz brings a pedigree of high-level play to the Steel City. His standout 2017 season—3,296 yards, 33 touchdowns, and an 11-2 record before an ACL injury—paved the way for the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII triumph, earning him a ring despite Nick Foles finishing the job.
The one-year pact, reportedly worth $7 million with performance incentives that could push it to $10 million, reflects a calculated gamble by GM Omar Khan. With Kyler Murray off the board (traded from Arizona earlier this week) and Justin Fields potentially signing with the Jets, Wentz emerged as an intriguing option among a thinning free-agent pool. He’ll step into a QB room alongside Mason Rudolph, who re-signed earlier this offseason as the backup on a two-year, $8 million deal.
Wentz inherits a Steelers offense brimming with weapons: George Pickens and D.K. Metcalf form a dynamic wide receiver tandem, Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell anchor a versatile backfield, and Pat Freiermuth offers a reliable tight end target. Paired with a defense led by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Patrick Queen, Wentz has the tools to succeed where predecessors like Russell Wilson faltered in 2024.
Once an MVP contender, Wentz’s career hit turbulence after leaving Philly—stints with the Colts, Commanders, and Chiefs yielded mixed results—but his arm strength, mobility, and big-game experience remain undeniable. “Carson’s been to the mountaintop,” head coach Mike Tomlin said in a statement. “He knows what it takes to win at this level, and we’re excited to see him lead this group.”
The signing has sparked optimism among Steelers Nation, who’ve longed for a QB to elevate their postseason fortunes. With roughly $10-15 million in cap space remaining after this deal (factoring in T.J. Watt’s restructure), Pittsburgh can still address needs at defensive tackle and offensive line. For now, Wentz’s arrival signals a clear intent: 2025 is a win-now year, and the former Eagle could be the key to bringing a seventh Lombardi Trophy back to Pittsburgh.
