Steelers’ Omar Khan hints at late round QB pick in 2024 NFL Draft
Among the many needs of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers, QB isn't one of them. Whether or not you think the moves made at the position this offseason will have a positive impact is up for debate, but with three new signal callers on the team, the last thing Pittsburgh needs is another. Or so you […]
Among the many needs of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers, QB isn't one of them.
Whether or not you think the moves made at the position this offseason will have a positive impact is up for debate, but with three new signal callers on the team, the last thing Pittsburgh needs is another.
Or so you would think…
Steelers Not Opposed to Drafting a QB
"There are some good players there, and I wouldn't close the door on anything," Steelers GM Omar Khan said at the team's pre-draft presser. There's an opportunity to improve that room. Obviously we'll look at it. We have three guys that are on one year deals and we have to be open to it."
The last part of Khan's quote is what makes the most sense regarding a potential draft move, and it also hints at the team's future QB plans.
Russell Wilson was signed to a one-year, league minimum deal that is in all likelihood, a tryout. Two spots behind him is veteran signal caller Kyle Allen, who is a suitable backup and reliable emergency QB.
But in between them is 25-year-old Justin Fields, who while not slated to start, will have the opportunity to compete for the job, and could quickly unseat Russell Wilson if things went array.
Beyond that, if Field replaces Wilson and performs at a high level, it's not out of the realm of possibilities that he makes the Steelers consider a long-term extension.
Either way, that decision is set to come after the season, as Omar Khan referred to Fields as being on a one-year deal.
But with Fields heading into year four and as a first-round pick, that means Pittsburgh has a decision to make on whether or not to pick up his fifth year option, which would effectively give him a two-year deal.
By Khan grouping him in with the other one-year contracts, that at least suggests that Fields' fifth-year option will be declined, leaving Pittsburgh with the chance for a fresh slate at QB all over again next year.
Unless Pittsburgh takes a rookie of course…
Steelers aren’t ’overly thirsty’ in quest to address any one need in NFL Draft
See why Pittsburgh may opt for the best player available during the NFL Draft.
