The Pittsburgh Steelers are facing a significant decision regarding the upcoming season, as they figure out their quarterback situation, either via the NFL Draft or through a trade with another team.
By now, it’s no secret with most fans that Aaron Rodgers is contemplating his next move. After failing to lead the team deep into the playoffs, he’s now a free agent who might also decide not to return to play in the NFL anymore.
With his situation unclear, the Steelers will need to determine their best option going forward under new head coach Mike McCarthy.
The draft, which will occur in Pittsburgh in April, could bring them the opportunity to get the second-best quarterback: Alabama’s Ty Simpson. However, a trade may be the smarter move, giving the Steelers someone capable of quickly adapting to their system who is already familiar with playing QB in the NFL.
A consideration that the Steelers are being urged to trade for is Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee. While on Sports Illustrated's YouTube channel, analyst Connorr Orr suggested that McKee is "expendable" after the Eagles traded for another backup: Andy Dalton.
Orr said that McKee offers "high upside," and while the team was previously less inclined to make a deal involving him, they're now probably more likely to consider trades.
According to Orr, making that sort of trade could require giving Rodgers an ultimatum regarding his pending decision on whether to return to Pittsburgh or not.
“If you're Mike McCarthy, you have Will Howard, you have Mason Rudolph, go get Tanner McKee and say, ‘Alright, Aaron, I'll give you until the end of the week. You can be here with Tanner, and Tanner's gonna be the quarterback when you're gone, or is at least gonna be the bridge to the quarterback when you're gone. I'm not waiting anymore,'” Orr also said.
McKee was a sixth-round pick for the Eagles in 2023 and has just six games of NFL action over the past two years. He's 54-of-88 with 597 yards, five touchdown passes, and one interception.
His six games might not make a strong case that he’s the right move for Pittsburgh, but with aspirations of continuing to compete for a Super Bowl, their options might be dwindling.
According to Pro-Football-Reference projections, McKee’s average 17-game stats might be 1,692 yards and 14 touchdowns, and a 9-8 quarterback record. Surprisingly, they also projected he would throw just three interceptions during that stretch.
With quarterbacks like Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and Tua Tagovila all moving to new teams, it seems like the Steelers need Rodgers to return for another run or will have to rely on Will Howard to compete for that Super Bowl.
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