In 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers used a combination of two quarterbacks on their way to a first-round playoff exit against their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens. The Steelers trotted out Justin Fields, who went 4-2, before transitioning to Russell Wilson after Wilson’s return from injury. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the Steelers are perpetually in the hunt for a playoff spot. Recently, they haven’t gone very far once they’ve clinched their berth.
The Steelers have hit their ceiling once again, as they cannot find the quarterback to get them over the hump. One ESPN analyst thinks there is a solution to raise Pittsburgh’s ceiling: acquiring QB Matthew Stafford from the Los Angeles Rams.
Matthew Stafford in the Steel City
Stafford’s name has been swirling in trade rumors to start of the 2025 offseason. Wilson and Fields are impending free agents leaving the Steelers with a massive hole at the quarterback position. ESPN’s Aaron Schatz believes Stafford will raise Pittsburgh’s playoff ceiling to a potential contender. It would be an attractive spot for Stafford as well.
“There’s been plenty of discussion about the Rams moving on from Stafford now that he’s 37, and about how he might fit with the Giants because of family connections. (Stafford’s brother-in-law Chad Hall is the Giants’ new assistant quarterbacks coach.)
“But the Steelers are another team that needs a quarterback and is closer to contention. The Steelers ranked 13th in pass block win rate (62%) last season, which is important with an older pocket quarterback such as Stafford. … Stafford could truly activate the talents of George Pickens,” Schatz said.
Pickens has shown flashes of brilliance in Pittsburgh but hasn’t been consistent over a full season. Stafford could be the guy who finally unlocks the version of Pickens fans have been waiting for.
“Also, Stafford is a better fit for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith than Aaron Rodgers because of Stafford’s experience in Sean McVay’s play-action-heavy system with the Rams. The Steelers and Rams were both near the top of the league in using more conventional quarterback-under-center formations (31% of passes for each team),” said Schatz.
Stafford is an intriguing option for Pittsburgh and could get them past the first round of the playoffs, which has been a struggle for them in recent seasons.
Stafford, Russell Wilson, or Justin Fields
Stafford ranked 22nd in PFSN’s QB+ rankings with a grade of 71.9/C-. Stafford was seventh-best in the league from a clean pocket but struggled under pressure, coming in 30th in the league in EPA/DB while put under pressure. The Steelers have a solid offensive line, so pairing Stafford’s success in clean pockets with a strong offensive line is intriguing.
Fields did not have an official ranking in the QB+ metric because he only started six games and only threw 161 passes. But his grade was higher than Stafford’s in the games he played in, with a 78.1/C+ grade. Fields had the best start of his career before being benched for Wilson. His stats weren’t eye-popping, but he was the 10th-best quarterback under pressure.
Wilson ranked 17th in QB+, a few spots above Stafford, with a grade of 75.3/C. He had a rough end of the year, as he was 29th in the league over the final four weeks of the regular season. Wilson didn’t excel in clean pocket passing or passing under pressure, falling outside the top 20 in both metrics. He provided average quarterback play, which was fine but didn’t elevate Pittsburgh’s ceiling.
None of these options is perfect. Fields received the highest grade with the smallest sample size. Wilson performed average or below average in most metrics, while Stafford excelled with clean pockets but struggled mightily under pressure.
The Steelers have a tough decision to make regarding their quarterback next season. Fields is the youngest and likely has the most upside, while Wilson will provide average play. Stafford’s production should vary based on pass protection. This decision will shape whether the Steelers can finally win a playoff game for the first time since 2016.
