Peter King Suggests Jimmy Garoppolo Could Sign Steelers Contract if Raiders Cut QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly among the teams that could pursue Jimmy Garoppolo if he's cut by the Las Vegas Raiders.

Peter King of NBC Sports wrote Garoppolo could have limited options on the open market due to his impending two-game suspension for taking performance-enhancing drugs, but the Steelers may wind up being an answer.

The Raiders are expected to release Garoppolo before paying out an $11.3 million roster bonus due March 17. He was also due an $11.3 million base salary for next season that was guaranteed before he was hit with a suspension, which voided the guarantees associated with that money.

The Steelers have been dealing with issues at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement after the 2021 season. Kenny Pickett, the team's 2022 first-round pick, was benched late in 2023 in favor of Mason Rudolph and has thrown just 13 touchdowns in 25 career games. Rudolph was solid down the stretch leading the Steelers to a playoff berth but is more of a high-end backup than a long-term answer under center.

Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Steelers players prefer Rudolph over Pickett.

While neither Pickett nor Rudolph are elite talents, it's fair to wonder whether Garoppolo would improve the quarterback room at all. Garoppolo threw for 1,205 yards and seven touchdowns against nine interceptions in nine games last season before being benched for rookie Aiden O'Connell.

It's hard to find a starter who performed worse than Pickett last season, but Garoppolo fits the bill.

The Steelers should arguably be more focused on targeting a player like Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins, who would represent seismic upgrades, rather than adding another middling quarterback to their depth chart.

Dulac reported the Steelers are not currently expected to sign a big name.