As we’ve done in previous years, we’re taking a look at those Pittsburgh Steelers under Reserve/Futures contracts for the 2025 offseason — the ones who spent most of, if not the entire year, on the practice squad — and what we can expect from them during training camp and (hopefully) into the regular season. Today, here is an outlook on QB Skylar Thompson.
#### Skylar Thompson/QB Kansas State – 6017, 217 pounds
Skylar Thompson isn’t in pole position. But for now, he’s on the lead row. The _other_ quarterback currently under contract on the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster and the first to be added in 2025, Thompson could round out the quarterback room. Or he could be left on the cutting room floor.
A four-star recruit out of high school, he saw limited action with the Wildcats as a freshman. But Thompson became the starter for the 2018 and 2019 seasons. The numbers weren’t big, throwing for just nine touchdowns in ’18 and 12 in ’19, but the attempts weren’t enormous either. He ran a careful, run-focused offense and used his legs as an additional layer of offense with 16 rushing scores over that span. Most importantly, K-State became competitive again, turning around a 5-7 season in 2018 to win eight games the following year.
That didn’t carry over into 2020. An early upset over Oklahoma was quickly forgotten after Thompson suffered a season-ending [“upper body” injury that required surgery.](https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30100351/kansas-state-wildcats-qb-skylar-thompson-rest-season) Will Howard took over and the Wildcats won just four games.
Howard and Thompson competed for reps in 2021. Neither played well to begin the year, but Thompson settled in as the starter. Again, the big-time numbers weren’t there but Kansas State won more than they lost and he tossed three touchdowns to beat LSU in their bowl game.
Despite 26 rushing touchdowns that would suggest a strong level of athleticism, Thompson didn’t test like it during the pre-draft process. He ran a 4.91-40 at 6’2, 217 pounds. Quarterbacks who have run faster? Matt Leinart, Mason Rudolph and Joe Flacco, to name a few.
Part of what turned out to be an ugly 2022 quarterback class, Thompson was one of the last names taken, about 15 picks ahead of Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy, by the Miami Dolphins. A strong preseason performance compelled the Dolphins to keep him on their 53-man roster, and by Week 5, Thompson made his debut. Turning to him after a Tua Tagovailoa injury, he became an important note on the Steelers’ 2022 playoff odds. Needing the New York Jets to beat Miami as part of Pittsburgh’s path to get into the playoffs, Thompson and company did just enough to freeze Pittsburgh out. An 11-6 win over the Jets, Thompson doing just enough on his game-winning drive to set up a long field goal.
He started Miami’s Wild Card game in frigid Kansas City. Predictably, it was a blowout loss, Thompson completing well under half his passes with two picks and four sacks.
Third-string for all of 2023, Thompson never saw the field. He returned in 2024, starting in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks. Miami’s offense cratered, mustering only a field goal with Thompson’s play inspiring no one. Signed off the street, Tyler Huntley got the Week 4 nod instead. Thompson didn’t throw a pass the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh inked him to a [Reserve/Future contract on January 14th,](https://steelersdepot.com/2025/01/steelers-sign-qb-skylar-thompson/) giving them one quarterback under contract heading into the offseason. It remained that way until Mason Rudolph signed earlier this month. How the room gets built from here will determine Thompson’s odds of sticking. Add in Aaron Rodgers and a mid-round draft pick, and Thompson is clearly No. 4. If only one of those events occur, Thompson’s got a straight-shot to be No. 3.
If there’s one theme of the Steelers’ rotating quarterback mess, they’ve preferred to collect Sunday experience throughout their depth chart. In 2023, it was Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Rudolph. In 2024, it was Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and Kyle Allen with his 704 NFL attempts. Thompson isn’t anyone’s idea of a long-term option but there’s value as a No. 3. He’ll be watching draft day closely to see if Pittsburgh is looking for something more.