Adam Schefter of ESPN confirmed on the Pat McAfee Show Monday that the Pittsburgh Steelers are “absolutely” looking at quarterback options, including trading for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. This contradicts a report by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, stating that Pittsburgh is not among the teams actively working to trade for Fields.
“They’re looking, they’re absolutely looking, and I would expect at some point they’re gonna add one of those guys,” Schefter said. “It doesn’t feel like they are in an urgent mode to where, boy we’re gonna go make the move for Kirk Cousins on Day 1 of free agency and outspend all these guys. I think that they still absolutely have hopes for Kenny Pickett, which I think enters in the ultimate decision they make in whatever quarterback they bring aboard.”
Steelers general manager Omar Khan said at the NFL Combine that he has full faith in Kenny Pickett as the Steelers’ starting quarterback, but stressed the fact that competition will be a part of the process.
Explicitly asked about potentially trading for Fields, Khan said that he would not get into specifics about the conversations he’s had around the league.
“I’m not gonna go into details about the conversations that we’ve had,” he said. “But like I mentioned earlier, I can tell you that I have an obligation to look at every avenue that’s out there to make us a better football team.”
Pickett is the only current quarterback on the Steelers’ roster, so they’ll have to make additions. Mike DeFabo of The Athletic claims it won’t be Denver Broncos quarterback Russel Wilson, for sure. In a new report, DeFabo states that the Steelers’ feelings towards Wilson do not seem to imply they would sign him.
“The Steelers are not interested in signing Wilson in the likely event he’s released by the Denver Broncos, a source familiar with the coaching staff’s feelings on the quarterback at this stage of his career told The Athletic,” DeFabo wrote.
As of right now, Schefter thinks the Steelers are playing it by ear in regards to the QB position.
“I don’t think they know right now,” Schefter said. “I think they’re still sorting through it as we speak, but all those decisions are gonna crystalize here over the course of the week. … I haven’t sensed that they were at the Combine going through quarterback meetings round clock to go get somebody in here to dislodge Kenny Pickett. So I’m not giving you a specific answer ’cause I don’t know right now they have a specific answer.”
Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith met with incumbent starter Kenny Pickett in Florida, according to a report by Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. That meeting went well as they try to embrace Pickett and giving him an opportunity in Year 3. As it stands now, it appears that the Steelers will run it back with Pickett.
“Even as they sort out their quarterback outlook, the Steelers have started the process of rebuilding third-year passer Kenny Pickett. I’m told new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith recently spent time with Pickett in South Florida and that the two had a ‘great’ meeting. The sentiment among many here in Indy — including some with the team — was that Pickett could get another chance after a disastrous 2023 season due in part to the offense’s overall struggles under then-OC Matt Canada. Smith should help maximize Pickett’s skill set,” Fowler wrote.