Polarizing NFL Draft prospect enters the Steelers quarterback race after being hosted by Pittsburgh brass ahead of his Pro Day
All eyes in Pittsburgh are on Aaron Rodgers. But while the Steelers await his decision, they are doing their due diligence on the incoming crop of signal callers in next month's NFL Draft. On Tuesday night, that included the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting one of the more polarizing prospects in the class to dinner… Steelers go […]
All eyes in Pittsburgh are on Aaron Rodgers.
But while the Steelers await his decision, they are doing their due diligence on the incoming crop of signal callers in next month's NFL Draft.
On Tuesday night, that included the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting one of the more polarizing prospects in the class to dinner…
Steelers go to dinner with Jalen Milroe ahead of Alabama Pro Day
Former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe had dinner tonight in Tuscaloosa with Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and QBs coach Tom Arth ahead of his pro day, per source. Pittsburgh, which continues to explore all options at the QB position, owns the No. 21 pick in April’s draft.
– Tom Pelissero, NFL Media
There was a time last season, particularly after his showing against the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and lock to go in the first round.
But then he and the Crimson Tide went on a decline and neither were able to recover. That was only exacerbated at the Senior Bowl, where Milroe struggled mightily through the first two days of practice.
He turned things around in Indianapolis, putting together a solid NFL Combine performance and looking like himself, all be it during routes on air in the underwear olympics that is the scouting combine.
But let's be clear here. The Steelers need a starting quarterback for the 2025 season. Mason Rudolph and a rookie is the Steelers' fall-back plan if Aaron Rodgers goes anywhere but Pittsburgh.
And Jalen Milroe, at least in 2025 is not a starting quarterback in the NFL. A project who's tools of elite athleticism and a live arm pair perfectly with his high character and intangibles, there is a lot of upside with Milroe.
But his processing, accuracy and mechanics still need development. Development that should be done with time on the bench, behind someone like Aaron Rodgers or even Mason Rudolph.
And that more closely aligns with the Steelers' timeline and draft plans, as Milroe is not expected to be a first-round pick, but closer to the Steelers' second selection at 83 overall in the third round.
But crazier things have happened before, even in Pittsburgh. If the team can reach on a player like Kenny Pickett in the first round, then all best are off with a player as dynamic as Jalen Milroe.
