Another season has passed and the Pittsburgh Steelers enter the offseason with quarterback questions. That has become a recurring theme for the Black and Gold who have yet to solidify a franchise centerpiece since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
Originally, they drafted Kenny Pickett with hopes that the Pitt grad could carry the team forward, but that project faltered and the team opted for veteran Russell Wilson with Justin Fields behind him last season.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford calls a play against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional-round game.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
Those results were somewhat improved. However, Pittsburgh has not yet found a quarterback that moves the needle for this roster.
They could decide to run it back with either Wilson or Fields in 2025, but a bold trade proposal from ESPN has urged the Steelers to acquire another Super Bowl champion quarterback for their offense.
Aaron Schatz has proposed that the Steelers trade for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, seeing a potential fit for the veteran still very capable of leading a winning football team.
“The Steelers ranked 13th in pass block win rate (62%) last season, which is important with an older pocket quarterback such as Stafford. Pittsburgh still needs to add receiving help, with both Van Jefferson and Mike Williams hitting free agency, but there would be hope that Stafford could truly activate the talents of George Pickens.”
While the playmakers around Stafford would certainly be a factor, there is a clear fit here if the Steelers decide to gamble on this blockbuster move.
“Also, Stafford is a better fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith than Aaron Rodgers because of Stafford’s experience in Sean McVay’s play-action-heavy system with the Rams. The Steelers and Rams were both near the top of the league in using more conventional quarterback-under-center formations (31% of passes for each team).”
The Rams would have to be willing to trade Stafford which may be a hard sell for a team that nearly sprung an upset of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round. But recent developments around the team have soured Stafford and his family on the franchise.
Los Angeles announced that they intend to trade wide receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason. That decision has not settled well in Kupp’s camp nor with Stafford who is already tempering frustrations about a reworked contract.
A trade to Pittsburgh would almost guarantee the two going their separate paths next season. But if Stafford ultimately decides he wants out, few teams in need of a quarterback can boast the infrastructure that the Steelers possess.
