Despite already acquiring two notable quarterbacks this offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers may still consider adding another one to their roster.
Steelers general manager Omar Khan acknowledged that while it’s unlikely his team will pick a quarterback in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he didn’t dismiss the possibility of selecting one later on.
“I think it’s not realistic that we’ll be taking a quarterback in Round 1, if that’s what you’re asking, no,” Khan told reporters during the Steelers’ pre-draft press conference. “There are some good players there, and I wouldn’t close the door on anything. If there’s an opportunity to improve that room, obviously, we’ll look at it, but like you said, we’ve got three guys who are on one-year deals and we have to be open to it.”
Pittsburgh has already undergone significant changes in its quarterback department this offseason. They acquired Russell Wilson after his release from the Denver Broncos and traded for Justin Fields. These moves came after trading away Kenny Pickett, allowing Mason Rudolph to leave in free agency, and releasing Mitchell Trubisky due to inconsistent quarterback performances in 2023 despite making the playoffs.
However, both Wilson and Fields are currently under contract for only the 2024 season. Additionally, they are considered reclamation projects, with Wilson joining the Steelers on a veteran’s minimum contract and Fields being acquired for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
While Wilson had a better statistical season in Denver, being benched for the final two games raised questions. Fields, on the other hand, showed promise toward the end of the season despite Chicago’s struggles.
With the Steelers picking 20th overall in the first round of the draft, it’s unlikely they’ll have access to the top quarterback prospects without trading up. They might consider drafting a quarterback in the middle-to-later rounds for development purposes.
Notable quarterbacks expected to be drafted on Day 2 and 3 include Spencer Rattler, Michael Pratt, Jordan Travis, and Joe Milton.
According to the odds at FanDuel Sportsbook, the Steelers are longshots at +6000 to select a quarterback with their first pick. They are more likely to pick an offensive lineman (-390), followed by a wide receiver (+600), or cornerback (+750).
