The Pittsburgh Steelers threaded the needle this season, putting together what is almost certain to be a playoff campaign despite patching the quarterback position together with two bargain bin options in Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
But the bill for the NFL's most expensive roster spot is inevitably going to come due in Pittsburgh next year. The question is, who will the Steelers choose to pay?
It is pretty safe at this point to rule Fields out, as Pittsburgh bailed on him the moment Wilson was game-ready despite a 4-2 record to start the season. Wilson has played pretty well during his age-36 campaign, but the late-30s have marked precipitous drop offs for almost every QB who has ever made it in the league that long.
Spotrac projects Wilson's market value at $40 million annually over a new two-year deal, and if he's going to cost that much in free agency, the Steelers may as well pay that kind of money to a younger player with a longer NFL future.
Enter Sam Darnold of the Minnesota Vikings.
Trevor Sikkema of Pro Football Focus on Tuesday, Dec. 10, dubbed the Steelers the top landing spot for Darnold if he departs the Vikings after just one year.
"To me the Vikings are still a destination spot for him," Sikkema said. "I think it's the Steelers, [Tennessee] Titans and the [New York] Giants [that] are the most likely spots outside of Minnesota."
Darnold is 27 years old and having an MVP-caliber season with nearly 3,300 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions through 13 games. The Vikings are 11-2 and tied for second place in the NFC.
Minnesota signed Darnold to a one-year contract for $10 million, though Spotrac projects his market value at $137.5 million over a new four-year contract. If the Vikings decide they can't, or won't, go that high, then Pittsburgh will be in prime position to add Darnold to the fold and potentially address the QB position for years to come.
