Could Steelers Pull Off Surprising Quarterback Trade?
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to search for a quarterback. Aaron Rodgers could assume the role. As could Russell Wilson. Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders is even an option. ESPN’s Chris Canty believes Steelers general manager Omar Khan should pick up the phone, dial a San Francisco area code, and ask about Brock Purdy’s availability.
Purdy, 25, is entering the final season of his rookie deal. He’s outplayed his “Mr. Irrelevant” draft position and has been a bargain for San Francisco, which will pay him $5.28 million in 2025. The 49ers’ window of contention has narrowed considerably, and extending him will cost a pretty penny.
“It was prime Ben Roethlisberger, and prime Terry Bradshaw, and a lot of mediocre in between those guys,” Canty said of the Steelers’ signal-caller track record on “Unsportsmanlike.” “They’re not great at being able to find quarterbacks. And the San Francisco 49ers are already gutting themselves. So it feels like a phone call you should make. They’ll probably tell you, ‘Hell nah.’ But at least you should make the phone call.”
What finances would the Steelers be getting into with Brock Purdy?
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport spoke about Purdy’s situation Tuesday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I don’t get the sense that it’s imminent, imminent. But it’s always coming,” Rapoport said. “So teams do budgeting on out, they know it’s coming and they do have to account for it. What the number is going to be is interesting.”
Dallas’ Dak Prescott is worth $60 million per year. Buffalo’s Josh Allen, Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence, and Green Bay’s Jordan Love earn an average of $55 million. Purdy could wind up in that same range.
The Steelers find themselves in this predicament in part because of a mishandling of Justin Fields.
Mike Tomlin spoke glowingly of Fields during his season-ending press conference in January. Fields and the Steelers couldn’t come to terms on a deal, however, and he took a 2-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets on Monday.
As of now, the Steelers are waiting on Rodgers to make a decision. Wilson appears to be a backup plan and visited Cleveland on Thursday. He’ll speak with the New York Giants on Friday.