Analyst thinks Steelers have a very important phone call to make regarding young quarterback

As of the previous four seasons, the Pittsburgh Steelers are still searching for a franchise quarterback. Now this is not an easy task; if it were, every team would have one. However, the Steelers have been trying to address this issue the completely wrong way. They have been recycling veteran quarterbacks and none of them have been the answer. They have had a new Week 1 starter for five straight seasons. Now, that streak could end if Aaron Rodgers returns, but this move isn't guaranteed. Rodgers took a long time to sign last offseason and he's likely to do it again. 

If Rodgers decides not to re-sign, the Steelers will continue their search. There is one name that could potentially shake things up and that's Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud. Stroud came out strong in his rookie season, leading the Texans to a division title and even winning a playoff game. However, Stroud hasn't been the same since that season. The Texans have three straight seasons with playoff wins, but that can be mostly credited to their elite defense.

Conor Orr of the "MMQB Podcast" was discussing the quarterback carousel around the league. He gave his two cents on the Steelers and offered a potential long-term solution.

"If Aaron Rodgers decides not to come back to Pittsburgh, you have a Steelers team with a late first-round draft pick and this perpetual issue of not being good enough to trade up for a top-flight rookie and never being bad enough to be in that situation," Orr said. "Like if you're the Steelers and you're Mike McCarthy, is that the phone call you make where CJ Stroud is a classic drop-back passer with just, you know, enough athleticism sprinkled in there that could make it work for you?"

Some fans believe Stroud to the Steelers would be a match made in heaven. Stroud has never had an offensive-minded coach like Mike McCarthy. McCarthy is a quarterback guru with a strong track record of developing young signal-callers. He has already shown plenty of talent, though he has not performed well in big games. He has disappointed in the Texans' two playoff games and may need a change of scenery. Steelers general manager Omar Khan must make the call to Houston if Stroud becomes available.

McCarthy has never had to draft and develop a highly touted quarterback. He has inherited his previous top QBs. A trade for Stroud would prevent the Steelers from needing to draft a rookie quarterback and skipping the grooming process. Stroud has played for three seasons now, and he has shown he can be a top 10-level quarterback. Perhaps he can't get there with DeMeco Ryans and the Texans. The Texans have had a very poor offensive line; they haven't invested nearly enough into it. The Steelers, on the other hand, have. 

Steelers trading for stroud makes Mike McCarthy hire worth it

Steelers fans were certainly not happy with the McCarthy hire initially. He seemed like a very safe move to keep the ship just afloat. McCarthy bringing back Rodgers screams 10-7. Right now, it seems like Rodgers is set to come back for another season. The Steelers must call the Texans for a price tag on Stroud. If they have the opportunity to get the former Offensive Rookie of the Year, they must. This wouldn't exactly change their draft plans, but it would change how they approach them.

The Steelers are set to select a wide receiver in the first round. A trade for Stroud would cost them, at the bare minimum, this year's first and more. That would eliminate them from getting one of the top receivers in the 2026 NFL Draft. They could still look to free agency for a wide receiver, however. A potential franchise quarterback in the McCarthy system would make them an attractive option.