NFL Rumors: Steelers Not Eyeing Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Veteran Starting QBs

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly not looking to sign a veteran quarterback to start over Kenny Pickett next season.

According to Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers want to give Pickett one more season to see if he can establish himself as the long-term starter, and they don't want to disrupt it by creating a quarterback controversy.

Per Dulac, that likely means the Steelers won't pursue Kirk Cousins in free agency or a trade for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. They reportedly also aren't likely to trade for Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson or sign him should the Broncos cut him.

Pittsburgh used the No. 20 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft to select Pickett, but he has not achieved the level of success the organization hoped thus far.

Due to a combination of injuries and overall ineffectiveness, Picketts' career numbers are lacking through two seasons. In 25 games, including 24 as a starter, Pickett is 14-0, and he has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for 4,474 yards, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Veteran Mason Rudolph started the final three games of the 2023 regular season in place of Pickett, and he went 3-0, helping the Steelers get to 10-7 and clinching a playoff spot.

Given how solidly Rudolph played down the stretch, Dulac reported that there is some "internal division" within the Steelers, as some believe Rudolph should perhaps be the starter over Pickett in 2024.

However, Rudolph is set to become a free agent this offseason, and the Steelers have already parted ways with Mitchell Trubisky, leaving Pickett as the only quarterback on the roster currently.

Even if head coach Mike Tomlin and Co. want Pickett to be the starter in 2024, they still have to bring in a backup whether it's Rudolph or someone else.

None of Cousins, Fields or Wilson fit the bill since they all figure to get a starting opportunity somewhere in 2024 barring something unforeseen.

Cousins was having a career year with the Minnesota Vikings last season before tearing his Achilles, Fields made strides as a passer and Wilson had a bounce-back year after a career-worst season in 2022.

One veteran quarterback who has been linked to the Steelers is Ryan Tannehill, who excelled with Arthur Smith as his offensive coordinator when they were with the Tennessee Titans.

The Steelers hired Smith as their new OC, and NFL.com's Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported there is an "expectation" that the Steelers will look into signing Tannehill.

While the 35-year-old Tannehill would probably like to start in a perfect world, he struggled through injuries and poor play the past two seasons, and lost his starting job to rookie Will Levis in 2023.

Because of that, teams likely won't be beating down Tannehill's door to make him a starter, but he could view Pittsburgh as a place where he may eventually get a chance to start if Pickett falters or gets injured again.