Ex-Steelers LB Believes Team Should Sign 49ers QB

After Art Rooney II spoke on Monday, it seems that the Steelers’ plan at quarterback is Kenny Pickett and, if they have it their way, a competition between Pickett and Mason Rudolph. But there is a robust quarterback market of veterans who the team could land.

On The Arthur Moats Show, Moats argued that the Steelers should look at former Jets first-round pick and current 49ers quarterback Sam Darnold as a potential guy to land.

“You saw Sam Darnold come in and play good this year. You know he’s a high pedigree guy who’s been around and has starter experience, but more importantly, he’s very talented, so less about how productive he can be. You are talking about talent in a practice setting. Do you know how hard it is to beat out a professional on that level? If you can’t beat Sam Darnold, then yeah, we need to go draft us a guy the following year because we don’t deem Sam Darnold as our franchise guy, but is he good enough to start? Sure,” Moats said.

The Steelers have lots of questions to answer, but Darnold is unlikely to solve any of them other than the one that Moats would mention. Darnold is not going to lead this team to the promised land, and might not even get them to the playoffs. It would be a steep climb.

With the Steelers having stated that they intend to have Pickett battle in camp with another quarterback, whether that is Rudolph, Darnold, or a different player, Pickett’s third NFL season will determine his future in Pittsburgh. After next season, the team will have to decide whether or not to exercise Pickett’s fifth-year option which will determine if he becomes a free agent following the 2025 season or the 2026 season. Losing the job to Darnold would