Quarterbacks rarely hit free agency these days, as it starts on the trade market, where backup QBs with upside are buy-low options for teams still searching for long-term answers. That will be a thing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and there are some options for them to pursue.
ESPN analyst Ben Solak outlined two quarterbacks who could emerge as realistic trade targets depending on how the offseason unfolds, and I’d love them to go after either.
One of the more intriguing names mentioned was Jalen Milroe, currently buried on the depth chart with the Seattle Seahawks and doesn’t likely have much of a place to play now with Sam Darnold.
“The Seahawks hedged their Darnold bet with a Round 3 selection on Milroe, who now starts down the path that Willis was on with Tennessee,” Solak wrote. “Milroe is only QB3 in Seattle behind Darnold and Drew Lock, but Milroe started above Ty Simpson – the nominal QB2 in this draft class – at Alabama in 2024.”
“Teams likely will compare their predraft grades on Milroe to the grades on this year's class, and if they can get Milroe at a discount, they could try to trade for him instead of drafting an inferior prospect,” Solak added.
The second name on Solak’s list was Tanner McKee of the Philadelphia Eagles, who played well when needed in Philadelphia and also impressed in the preseason.
“The backup QB on Howie Roseman's roster is always in danger of being dealt,” Solak wrote. “McKee typically looks strong in the preseason, and he looked acceptable in two Week 18 starts while throwing to the Eagles' backups.”
“He is an older prospect (will be 26 next season), but he still has a developmental arc in that he has never seen extended game action,” he wrote. “In a world where Will Howard might be starting for the Steelers or Quinn Ewers could be in for the Dolphins, McKee deserves a camp fight somewhere.”
While I’d like both, from a roster-building standpoint, the quarterback that should draw the most interest from the Steelers is Milroe.
Pittsburgh’s offense is about as non-modern as it gets, and with his ability to move around and make deep passes, I’d love to give him a shot!