The Pittsburgh Steelers have a franchise-defining decision to make as soon as their playoff run comes to an end.
Quarterback Justin Fields is most likely on his way out after the team benched him for Russell Wilson despite a 4-2 start to the season. That move initially looked brilliant and Wilson appeared a potentially viable long-term solution, as he led Pittsburgh to six victories in the next seven games.
But the Steelers have lost four in a row since, three of which haven't been particularly close. They backed into the playoffs as the No. 6-seed and must go on the road to play the Buffalo Bills over Super Wildcard Weekend.
Wilson turns 37 next season and wasn't dynamic over the losing streak, tallying 4 TDs compared to 2 INTs.
Pittsburgh has no path to drafting one of the top QBs in April, as Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are likely to be the first two players off the board. That means if the Steelers want a legitimate QB ready to go from Week 1, and that man isn't Wilson, they are going to have to find his replacement in free agency.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report on Wednesday, January 8, named Pittsburgh as a top-two suitor for Minnesota Vikings breakthrough starter Sam Darnold, who Knox dubbed the top free agent this offseason.
"Don't be shocked if the Steelers make a play for Darnold now that their quarterback outlook appears much less sunny than it did a few months ago," Knox wrote on Wednesday, Jan. 8. "Darnold would be a far better long-term investment [than Wilson] for Pittsburgh."
Some of Darnold's success is due to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell maximizing his skill set and covering up his flaws through overall scheme and specific play design, while having wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as his top two options hasn't hurt, either.
Pittsburgh doesn't have that same offensive infrastructure, which could be cause for pause where Darnold is concerned. However, the Steelers could also try to put together a competitive trade offer for Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who many believe would have been the top player selected in the 2025 draft had he remained in college one year longer.
If the Vikings decide to extend Darnold at a competitive price, he won't hit free agency in March regardless. But in that scenario, there is a strong chance McCarthy will find his way to the trade block.
