The Pittsburgh Steelers could be in the quarterback market when free agency begins in March. But while the team could use an upgrade behind center, the Steelers are likely to pursue signal callers who will compete, not replace, former first-round pick Kenny Pickett. An ideal quarterback for that role could be veteran Baker Mayfield.
Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness named Mayfield the one free agent the Steelers should pursue during the upcoming offseason.
“It feels very likely that Mayfield will stick around with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but on the off chance that he does hit free agency, the Steelers should be the first team to pick up the phone,” McGuinness wrote. “While Mayfield hasn’t lived up to the billing of being a former No. 1 overall pick, he is back at the level of his second and third seasons with the Cleveland Browns, earning a 74.6 PFF grade with 25 big-time throws and 24 turnover-worthy plays in the 2023 regular season.”
The Cleveland Browns selected Mayfield first overall in the 2018 NFL draft. As the No. 1 pick, he signed a four-year deal worth about $32.7 million before his rookie season.
Mayfield led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a 9-8 record with 4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during 2023.
Why Baker Mayfield Could Fit With the Pittsburgh Steelers
ESPN’s Marcus Spears floated Kirk Cousins as an option for the Steelers while several NFL pundits have connected Pittsburgh to fellow veteran Russell Wilson.
But those quarterbacks don’t make sense for the Steelers unless the team is willing to move on from Pickett. That’s not the organization’s current plan based on what head coach Mike Tomlin said during his post-season press conference.
“I’m appreciative of his efforts and where he is and excited about continuing to work with him,” Tomlin told reporters on January 18. “But certainly, he will be challenged from a competition perspective moving forward
