The Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for their starting quarterback for next season. After bringing back Mason Rudolph as the likely backup, the Steelers have yet to lock in their QB1. They have been heavily linked to Aaron Rodgers since the start of free agency and are reportedly waiting for him to make a decision.
However, recent reports indicate that the four-time NFL MVP could extend his decision timeline to the 2025 NFL Draft. The Steelers, meanwhile, don’t seem very interested in waiting and are exploring other options, including rookie Jalen Milroe.
Steelers Host Jalen Milroe for Dinner Ahead of 2025 NFL Draft
Rodgers was released by the New York Jets on March 15, and while he’s believed to have a standing offer from Pittsburgh, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the veteran isn’t in a rush and could extend his decision timeline until the draft, similar to what he did in 2023.
“Do you draft someone? That’s about a month away, so all of us would like this done sooner rather than later. I don’t get the sense that Rodgers is in any kind of hurry at all,” Rapoport said. “Could it drag out all the way to the draft like it did two years ago? Maybe it could.”
Thus, it isn’t surprising that the Steelers hosted Milroe for dinner. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on March 18 that the former Alabama quarterback dined with head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan, and QBs coach Tom Arth ahead of his pro day.
Former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe had dinner tonight in Tuscaloosa with #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and QBs coach Tom Arth ahead of his pro day, per source.
Pittsburgh, which continues to explore all options at the QB position, owns the No. 21 pick in April’s draft. pic.twitter.com/NSlHIcYakP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
The Steelers hold the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and there’s a real chance they land Milroe at that stage or even in the second round.
He took over as Alabama’s starting QB in 2023 and finished the year with 2,834 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, six interceptions, and a 65.8% completion percentage. Milroe also showed his value as a runner, rushing for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns on 161 attempts.
He continued his strong play in 2024, recording 2,844 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 64.3% completion percentage. While his passing numbers dipped slightly, Milroe was even more productive on the ground, rushing for 726 yards on 168 carries with 20 rushing touchdowns, the second-most among all FBS quarterbacks.
Here’s what PFSN’s Jacob Infante wrote in Milroe’s scouting report:
“From a purely physical perspective, Milroe might be the most talented quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Blessed with a cannon of an arm, a muscular build, and tremendous athleticism, Milroe is the perfect proverbial ball of clay. He has all the prerequisites to be a coach’s dream with how impressive his physical tools are. The flashes are there with him on tape, and when he gets the right amount of touch and timing behind his passes, he can make some seriously big plays.
“There’s a lot of work that needs to be done with Milroe, though. Expectations were high for him heading into the 2024 season, and he did not progress from the previous season as well as many had hoped. He’s raw as a processor and generally pretty inaccurate, which comes down to spotty mechanics. His decision-making in the pocket will need to improve if he is to reach his full potential, and his ball security stands out as a legitimate concern as well.”
While it’s clear Milroe wouldn’t be an immediate starter for the Steelers, he could develop into a franchise quarterback if he gets the chance to learn from Rodgers or Russell Wilson.
Regardless, Pittsburgh’s offense looks strong heading into 2025 with the arrival of star receiver DK Metcalf and the return of second-year lineman Troy Fautanu. Metcalf — who recorded 2,973 receiving yards from Wilson’s passes in Seattle — brings a proven pass-catching presence, forming a dangerous tandem with George Pickens.