The Pittsburgh Steelers face a crucial decision regarding their quarterback situation for 2025. While Russell Wilson could be the answer, the team may explore other options, either through the draft or free agency, to improve their chances. Rather than rebuilding, the Steelers are focused on retooling and remaining competitive, which likely means that a veteran quarterback will be under center in Week 1 of the upcoming season.
However, Vinnie Iyer from Sporting News has a different prediction. He suggests that the Steelers might use their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to select Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. Iyer believes the team can no longer afford to experiment with quarterbacks like Wilson and Justin Fields, who have provided mixed results. Instead, they need a player with a strong arm and the ability to contribute both through the air and on the ground. Ewers is seen as a quarterback who meets those criteria.
In the 2024 season, Ewers completed 65.8% of his passes, throwing for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Over his career, Ewers has accumulated 9,128 passing yards, 76 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, with a completion rate of 64.9%. He entered the 2024 season as one of the top quarterback prospects but has since been surpassed by Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.
Draft projections for Ewers have varied widely. Some analysts predict he could go as high as Day 1, while others believe he may be selected on Day 2 or even Day 3. The consensus is that taking him at No. 21 could be either a good or a bad decision, depending on the team’s evaluation. Keith Sanchez of The Draft Network views Ewers as a potential “winning starter,” but questions remain about his consistency.
One of the primary concerns about Ewers as a prospect is his arm strength. While he can make most throws, his velocity on deep passes, particularly on routes like deep comebacks and digs, is often questioned. This limitation may lead to struggles in situations where strong arm strength is essential to avoid defenders disrupting the pass.
Despite this concern, Ewers is widely regarded as a skilled quarterback with a natural understanding of the position. His physical tools, football intelligence, and instincts make him a strong candidate to succeed at the next level. These traits contribute to his projection as a quarterback capable of leading an NFL offense, even if his arm strength remains a topic of debate.
While it’s unlikely that the Steelers would immediately hand the starting job to a rookie like Ewers in 2025, they may take a different approach. The team could sign a veteran quarterback to start, while also drafting Ewers or another prospect to develop behind them. This strategy would allow the Steelers to continue competing while also planning for the future.
If the Steelers do decide to draft a quarterback, it’s more probable that they would select one on Day 2 or Day 3 of the draft. This approach would align with their primary goal of adding a veteran who can contribute immediately, while still investing in a potential future starter to develop over time.
