The NFL continues to keep fans on their toes. Just days before free agency kicks off on March 7, the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks shook up the quarterback market with a major trade—sending Geno Smith to the Raiders in exchange for a third-round pick. The move could have significant implications for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Earlier in the day—before the trade upended quarterback projections—Pittsburgh Post-Gazette insider Gerry Dulac reported that the Steelers were seriously considering an external option for their next starting quarterback. He named free agents like Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold as potential targets, especially if they couldn’t strike a deal with Justin Fields or Russell Wilson before the frenzy begins on March 10. However, the Smith trade may have complicated those plans.
Late Friday night, following the Raiders’ acquisition of Smith, FOX Sports NFL insider Jordan Schultz provided an update on Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation—one that sounded very similar to speculation from weeks earlier.
“Sources: The Steelers have maintained an open dialogue with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, with the hopes of retaining one,” Schultz reported on X. He also noted that both quarterbacks have drawn interest from other teams, with the New York Jets emerging as the top suitor for Fields, while the New York Giants—who are evaluating multiple options, including Rodgers—are keeping tabs on Wilson.
Schultz later emphasized that the Jets are “high on Fields, according to multiple sources.”
NFL insider Josina Anderson echoed that sentiment, confirming that New York’s interest in Fields had been discussed within the past two weeks. When asked if Fields was open to the move, she suggested that he was wisely keeping his options open while awaiting clarity on the Steelers’ stance regarding Wilson.
Seahawks Show Interest in Sam Darnold, Limiting Steelers’ Options
While the Raiders’ quarterback acquisition removes one competitor from the market, the Seahawks may present a new challenge for the Steelers—this time concerning Sam Darnold.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer revealed that the idea of Darnold landing in Seattle is gaining traction within league circles as a natural follow-up to Smith’s departure. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini added that Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has prior experience coaching Darnold, which could strengthen the connection.
Russini also noted that Darnold is seeking a three-year contract worth around $45 million annually. Given Pittsburgh’s typically cautious approach to spending at the position, such a commitment seems unlikely, particularly if a team like the Minnesota Vikings enters the bidding. This may explain why there has been little buzz linking the Steelers to Darnold until recently.
Steelers Face a Potential Quarterback Crisis
The Steelers have been in talks with Fields’ representatives for some time, but concerns are mounting that if a deal hasn’t been reached yet, it may never materialize.
Longtime Pittsburgh insiders like Dulac and Mark Kaboly have begun reconsidering their earlier predictions that Fields would land in Pittsburgh. If Fields opts for a team like the Jets, which might offer a more secure long-term deal, the Steelers could be left scrambling for alternatives.
That leaves Wilson as the most realistic fallback, as Schultz pointed out. However, Dulac also mentioned Rodgers, despite previously reporting that Pittsburgh had “no interest” in the veteran quarterback. Beyond those two, the remaining options include fringe starters like Daniel Jones, Carson Wentz, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo.
There’s also a possibility that the Steelers could explore late-offseason scenarios, such as Kirk Cousins via release or Derek Carr through a trade. However, neither of those moves can be counted on.
Lastly, there’s the NFL Draft. If all else fails, could Pittsburgh pair a veteran like Wilson or Rodgers with a rookie quarterback selected in the early rounds? It wouldn’t be ideal—but at this stage, what is?
