The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in a cycle of regular-season respectability followed by postseason reality checks. Despite finishing 10-7 for the second consecutive year, their 2024 season ended in disappointment yet again, as they lost 28-14 in the Wild Card Round to the Baltimore Ravens.
Splitting the season between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields may have helped them stay competitive, but it did little to mask the glaring gap between them and true contenders when it mattered most.
Now, with both quarterbacks set to hit free agency, the Steelers appear ready to break the cycle, and they could turn to a surprising veteran to stabilize the position: Sam Darnold.
Could Sam Darnold Be the New Starter in Pittsburgh?
ESPN’s Seth Walder recently suggested that Darnold, who is coming off a career-defining year with the Minnesota Vikings, could be the Steelers’ best option. Without a high draft pick to land a top-tier rookie, Pittsburgh may be inclined to target the best available free agent quarterback.
“Keeping Fields is a possibility, but if the Steelers really liked him, why did they continue to play Russell Wilson over him? And though I have some healthy skepticism of how Darnold will fare without Kevin O’Connell and Justin Jefferson, he’s arguably the best free agent quarterback available,” Walder said.
“The Steelers land him because they have the most to offer — a potentially very good defense, winning history under Mike Tomlin and the lack of a top pick (making them less likely to take a first-round rookie).”
Darnold’s recently proven ability to lead a winning team makes him an attractive option for the Steelers. He finished 2024 with a PFSN QB+ rating of 79.0 (B), ranking 12th in the league, and played a pivotal role in the Vikings’ extremely unexpected and impressive 14-3 record. While he faltered in the postseason, his regular-season numbers suggest he was more than just a product of Minnesota’s offensive system.
Is Darnold the Right Move for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Darnold enters free agency as the 10th-ranked player on PFSN’s Top 100 Free Agent list. Despite some struggles in high-pressure moments, he had solid production in 2024, finishing eighth in net yards per attempt (7.3) and throwing 35 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He was 11th in EPA per dropback from a clean pocket (0.29) and 15th in third-down conversion rate (39.3%), showing his efficiency.
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However, his issues inside the opponent’s half — where he ranked 30th in EPA per dropback (-0.08) — raise concerns about his ability to finish pivotal drives. Still, compared to Pittsburgh’s current options, he provides more stability than downside.
With Wilson’s and Fields’ futures in the Steel City remaining uncertain, the Steelers need an answer at quarterback. Whether Darnold is the right one remains to be seen, but after years of falling short in the playoffs, something needs to change before regression starts to occur.