NFL Rumors: Steelers Add Ex-First Rounder To QB Candidates List

There’s nothing stopping the offseason speculation surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers as the franchise’s search for a starting quarterback continues.

Pittsburgh has been linked to Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Jameis Winston, and then the obvious front-runners — last season’s starters — Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Still, nothing has amounted to a contract agreement, presumably indicating that head coach Mike Tomlin and owner Art Rooney II are carefully examining their options. So, the door for even more speculation remains open, allowing even more quarterbacks to join the unconfirmed candidates list.

Andrew Fillipponi, a Pittsburgh radio host for 93.7 The Fan, tossed 2019 first-round quarterback Daniel Jones into the mix, claiming the Steelers are interested in the 27-year-old.

“There’s interest in former Giants QB Daniel Jones inside the Steelers organization,” Fillipponi reported Tuesday. “Quote: ‘(The Steelers) could do a lot worse than Jones.’ With the belief he actually is a good fit for Arthur Smith’s offense. And Mike Tomlin’s preference for a mobile quarterback.”

Theoretically, Jones could fit Smith’s offensive scheme due to his mobility. Then again, that’s also anecdotal dot-connecting. Jones struggled immensely throughout his six-year run with the New York Giants, throwing for just 2,070 yards with eight touchdowns in 10 games last season before getting benched and eventually released.

Jones then joined the Minnesota Vikings for the remainder of the season but remained seated on the bench.

It’s hard to believe that Jones, a current free agent, joining Pittsburgh will uplift the fan base’s spirits this offseason. Jones hasn’t proven himself, certainly not to the degree of Wilson and Fields. The Steelers suffered a five-game losing streak to end their season in the AFC wild-card round, a discouraging finish following the team’s 10-2 start to the year.

Jones isn’t the caliber of quarterback capable of raising a franchise’s perception from first-round elimination candidate to Super Bowl contender. It’s yet to be shown, therefore, leaning to an underperforming veteran quarterback might not be the ideal route to take, especially with options like Wilson, Fields or even Rodgers — an experienced Super Bowl champion — on the table.

Tomlin and the Steelers endured their sixth consecutive postseason appearance without a victory, extending a deflating trend that’s brought everyone inside Acrisure Stadium into question.

Ben Roethlisberger was Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback the last time the Steelers won a playoff game in 2016.

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