Steelers Pursue Quarterback Solutions Ahead of Free Agency

INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Steelers are making critical decisions regarding their quarterback situation as they aim for a successful season in 2025. General Manager Omar Khan revealed this week at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team is in discussions with representatives for Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, aiming to finalize a contract before the free agency period starts on March 12.

Securing a top quarterback is vital for the team’s strategic direction, as it will influence their draft choices and free agent signings. Khan stated, “I think we have some very talented people on the roster, and I think we will add some more talented people, and I think we have a chance.” The Steelers, who held a strong 10-3 record at one point last season, fell short, finishing the year with five consecutive losses, leading to their second-place finish in the AFC North.

Khan highlighted the need for reflection and improvement, asserting, “We ended the season last year with five-straight losses, and that’s unacceptable. We’ve got to be better.” This acknowledgement reflects a determination within the organization to analyze past performances and make necessary adjustments.

The Steelers are poised to enhance their roster significantly, not only through the NFL Draft on April 27 but also during free agency. According to Overthecap.com, the franchise has about $60 million in salary cap space available for the 2025 season, allowing them to pursue new talent without the need for major cuts.

The general manager emphasized the goal of acquiring as many skilled players as possible across all positions. He noted that the team’s wide receivers, excluding George Pickens and Calvin Austin III, only managed to catch 43 passes combined in 2024, showcasing a clear area for improvement. As a result, the Steelers are likely to target veteran wide receivers in free agency.

Khan expressed urgency regarding the quarterback decision, saying, “It is an ideal scenario where you’d like to have this done before the start of the league year. Obviously, who you sign impacts the type of receiver you know you may go after, or how you build the rest of the team.” He acknowledged the importance of effective scoring in the upcoming season, stressing that the team must improve on their points per game.

Despite the disappointing offensive output in 2024, the organization’s confidence in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith remains strong. The team’s scoring average increased from 17.9 points per game in 2023 to 22.2 points in 2024, ranking them 16th in the league. Khan expressed his positive regard for Smith, stating, “Arthur did a really good job. I like Arthur a lot, and we work well together.”

Off the field, discussions are ongoing regarding potential changes to NFL overtime rules. The league reported that teams winning the coin toss to start overtime won the game approximately 56.8 percent of the time from 2017 to 2024. A potential solution under consideration is to align regular-season rules with postseason regulations, ensuring both teams get an opportunity to possess the ball during overtime.

On another front, the NFL is looking at incorporating Hawk-Eye technology for precise measurements of first downs. NFL Senior Vice President of Football Operations Kimberly Fields noted the goal is to enhance officiating processes for fans watching both on-site and at home.

Additionally, the league has confirmed the salary cap for 2025 will be set at $279.2 million, marking a nearly $24 million increase from the previous year and a significant rise from $177 million in 2018.