This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers traded quarterbacks six times. They will have three signal callers on their 2024 roster going into the NFL draft. Nevertheless, pundits continue to project the Steelers as Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr.’s first-round destination.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk did more than simply mention Penix as a potential No. 20 overall pick for the Steelers. Florio stated on April 24 that Penix might be the Steelers’ best first-round pick at their current price.
During an April 24 appearance on 93.7 The Fan, Florio said of the Steelers and Penix, “They don’t waste their time, and they brought him in for a visit.” Therefore, you should at least give it some thought if he is there at No. 20.
Justin Fields and Russell Wilson have contracts for this season. But Michael Penix might be the strategy for the following year. That would bring about a complete transformation.
The Steelers were one of five clubs that arranged a pre-draft meeting with Penix, according to a March 28 article by ESPN’s Brad Henderson. The Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders were the other teams.
Penix has been a highly divisive possibility during the draught. Penix has only been selected in the first round of 45.6% of NFL mock drafts, according to the NFL Mock Draft Database.
Nonetheless, he is ranked as a top-15 pick in several mock drafts. Consequently, there may be pressure on clubs with quarterback concerns to select Penix in the second half of the first round.
Is QB Michael Penix Jr. Really the Steelers’ First Choice?
93.7 Andrew Fillipponi of The Fan tweeted a synopsis of Florio’s remarks regarding Pittsburgh’s potential target, Penix, at No. 20 overall. Based on the responses, it appears that the typical Steelers supporter finds it hard to accept that it could happen.
1933 Black and Gold posted on X, “Better chance of Jesus Christ rising from the dead and announcing the 20th pick than there is there is them taking a QB.” “Man, come on.”
But Steelers supporters are quickly learning to never say never, especially with Omar Khan as general manager. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields six weeks ago, but those moves were by no means assured.
Therefore, it’s probably not too early to rule out that the Steelers will draft Penix. Florio maintained that the tape that 93.7 The Fan played to preview his upcoming show on April 24 was from one of his earlier radio appearances.
But Steelers supporters are quickly learning to never say never, especially with Omar Khan as general manager. The Steelers signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields six weeks ago, but those moves were by no means assured.
Therefore, it’s probably not too early to rule out that the Steelers will draft Penix. Florio maintained that the tape that 93.7 The Fan played to preview his upcoming show on April 24 was from one of his earlier radio appearances.
“There, they completed their schoolwork. We are unsure of their feelings about what they saw after they completed their task. However, if Penix is present, he might end up being the greatest player available. Regardless of the rationale you choose, “it could happen.”
During his six years in college, Penix averaged 8.2 yards per pass with 96 touchdowns and 34 interceptions while posting a 63.3% completion rate. He completed 4,903 yards of passing last year, with 36 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
The Steelers Built a Smokescreen Encircling Penix?
The alternative, and far more plausible, theory is that the Steelers are fabricating a story about how interested they are in Penix. That might increase the cost for any club hoping to acquire Pittsburgh’s 20th pick in order to choose the quarterback from Washington.
That would account for Penix’s pre-draft visitation to the Steelers.
Florio speculated that “perhaps [the Steelers] see that as a spot to trade the pick to get Michael Penix to someone else.” To adequately assess the pick, some teams prefer to get to know the athlete well. Since you are now trading for the player rather than the pick at that point.
The Steelers may want more in a trade for the No. 20 pick if they are aware of Penix’s exceptional potential, even if they are publicly uninterested in him.
