The Pittsburgh Steelers don’t have a starting quarterback. They can feign optimism in Mason Rudolph or roll the dice in the 2025 NFL Draft, but as free agency continues, it remains the team’s top priority and the biggest factor in how successful next year can become.
Unfortunately for the Steelers, many of the top options are off the board. Last year’s Week 1 starter, Justin Fields, signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets. Geno Smith was traded to the Las Vegas Raiders, clearing a path for Pittsburgh to trade for receiver DK Metcalf, and Matthew Stafford stayed home with the Los Angeles Rams.
Perhaps most crushing was former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who parlayed his breakout campaign into a job replacing Smith for the Seattle Seahawks. On talent alone, he may not have topped any boards, but combining his recent ascension with his age and expected cost rendered him a mid-priced shot at upside with a reasonable expectation of competence.
The Steelers ultimately chose not to outbid the Seahawks, although a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed their interest in signing Darnold, and how close it may have been.
“So while nothing could be official until the middle of last week, both went into the NFL’s 52-hour negotiating period with a good feeling that their interests would align,” Breer said. “Quickly, those instincts proved correct as Seattle beat out the Steelers (Darnold really did love the idea of playing for Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith) for the quarterback’s services with the three-year deal that would give him $37.5 million in Year 1, a $55 million injury guarantee, and early-vesting roster bonuses in of $15 million and $10 million in February 2026 and ’27.”
Darnold’s deal is almost surprisingly malleable. Paying $37.5 million may be more than Pittsburgh was willing to hand out, but Seattle will be able to pivot almost painlessly if things go awry.
That raises the question of whether the Steelers should have been more intent on signing Darnold, who profiles as a better fit in Arthur Smith’s offense than Russell Wilson. Perhaps they feel Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, or another veteran will be far cheaper, and thus more conducive to winning in 2025 with cap space used elsewhere. Of course, Darnold may have simply preferred the soft factors that come with the Seahawks, even if Pittsburgh sent a more lucrative offer.
Darnold spoke highly of Seattle, per Breer’s report, when justifying his signing.
“There’s a lot of reasons,” Darnold said. “It’s a great culture. I like what Klint’s doing as an offensive coordinator, getting to see a couple of games in New Orleans last year. And even some of the weapons that we have, I’m very excited about some of the guys that we have here. Signing MVS [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] was huge. There are a couple really good running backs and a really good defense. There’s a lot of things to be excited about for me.”
Nonetheless, the Seahawks have found their 2025 starter, and the Steelers are left waiting on the whims of Rodgers and a handful of castaway quarterbacks looking for an opportunity to start.
With Pittsburgh seemingly destined for the kind of replaceable quarterback play that has defined its recent seasons, it could be Darnold’s success (or lack thereof) that determines how this offseason is perceived.
