The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads at quarterback, and the answer to their ongoing search for stability under center may not have been on their roster in 2024. Adding Russell Wilson and Justin Fields didn’t live up to expectations, but conventional wisdom suggests one of them could be the team’s starter in 2025.
However, recent reports indicate that Pittsburgh may look elsewhere for a solution, and star receiver George Pickens has further fueled speculation after revealing his dream teammate, who isn’t either Wilson or Fields.
George Pickens Reveals ‘Dream Teammate’ Available for Trade This Offseason
Pickens was the top receiver on the Steelers’ roster last season and registered 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns on the year. Although he has impending contractual issues off the field, Pickens will likely stay in Pittsburgh and recently fueled the quarterback speculation surrounding the Steelers.
“My dream teammate would probably be like Aaron Rodgers,” he said.
Rodgers’ future has become one of the biggest storylines of the NFL offseason. Last year, the four-time MVP had one of his worst seasons as a starter after coming back from a devastating Achilles injury.
Aaron Rodgers to George Pickens in the great 2025?pic.twitter.com/ObkDL9ElXR
— Pick 6 Pack (@Pick6PackFB) February 18, 2025
Rodgers played a full 17 games in 2024 and completed 63% of his passes while throwing for nearly 3,900 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
However, the Jets finished with a dismal 5-12 record and are officially set to move on from the 41-year-old veteran. The Steelers have been discussed as one potential landing spot for Rodgers, and if they do make a move for him, Pickens would love to catch his passes.
Would Aaron Rodgers Be an Upgrade to Russell Wilson or Justin Fields?
While Rodgers is one of the biggest names on the market, his 2024 performance doesn’t necessarily suggest he’d be a major upgrade over Wilson or Fields. The veteran quarterback struggled statistically, posting regular-season QB+ grades below the Steelers’ two 2024 starters:
- Rodgers: 72.2 (C-; 21st in the NFL)
- Wilson: 75.3 (C; 17th in the NFL)
- Fields: 78.1 (C+; N/R due to only 161 pass attempts)
Rodgers, at 41 years old, showed clear signs of decline in 2024, finishing 21st in PFN’s QB+ rankings. Wilson, meanwhile, placed higher at 75.3 (C), suggesting his play was better than the veteran Pickens said was his dream teammate.
As for Fields, his 78.1 (C+) grade was the highest of the group, but his limited sample size — and lack of championship experience compared to the others — make it difficult to gauge how he would fare over a full season. If given a chance to develop, Fields could be Pittsburgh’s best option, but the Steelers may not be willing to take that risk.
