Multiple stories posted since the start of February have suggested the Pittsburgh Steelers could move on from quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and then acquire a veteran such as Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets or Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons in March.
For a mailbag published on Wednesday, NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated predicted that “an outside quarterback” has the best chance to be Pittsburgh’s QB1 this September. Specifically, Breer named the Steelers as the top “ideal fit” for Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams.
While it was reported this past weekend that Stafford will “likely” return to the Rams for another season, some reporters continue to say that the club could either trade or release the 37-year-old who has no guaranteed money left on his contract. Rumors have also linked Stafford with the New York Giants after they hired his brother-in-law as their assistant quarterbacks coach, but Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media for NJ.com poured cold water over the idea of such a trade on Thursday.
As for the Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin seemingly made his opinion of Fields quite clear when Tomlin started Wilson from Week 7 of this past season through the wild-card round of the playoffs even though Fields went 4-2 as a starter. However, Pittsburgh ended the campaign with five straight defeats as Wilson’s working relationship with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith reportedly deteriorated. Thus, some who cover the Steelers believe Wilson will have a new football home later this year.
According to Pro Football Reference, Stafford ended this past regular season ranked 12th in the NFL among qualified players with a 64.7 adjusted QBR and eighth with a 50.1 percent passing success rate. Over 16 games, he tossed 20 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
Interestingly, Breer added in his piece that he thinks the Rams will trade veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp for a Day 3 draft pick “before the beginning of the league year” on March 12. Not for nothing, but the Steelers could use help at that position even if they hold onto George Pickens through the end of August.
