Steelers insider discusses Jalen Milroe, first-round draft rumors amid Aaron Rodgers uncertainty

Even before it was reported over the weekend that Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had accepted an invitation to attend the 2025 NFL Draft, some predicted that the Pittsburgh Steelers could take Milroe with the 21st overall pick and develop him as an unused backup behind yet-to-be-signed possible starter Aaron Rodgers. 

On the latest episode of the "North Shore Drive" podcast, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette addressed the Milroe rumors that seemingly popped up out of nowhere in March.

"I don't think they would go for Milroe in the first round," Fittipaldo said, as shared by Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. "I don't care how much they like him. That guy's a project. He's gonna take years -- not one year -- he's gonna take years to develop. Yes, there's freakish athletic ability. Yes, he's got an arm. But there's just a lot that has to be done there to turn him into an NFL quarterback."

For an article published on Tuesday, The Athletic's Ted Nguyen mentioned that the game film shows Milroe will "need patience to develop" as part of a team that ideally has "an offensive coordinator with experience calling an option offense and the patience to understand his deficiencies." The Steelers re-signed longtime backup Mason Rudolph earlier this offseason, and he could serve as a spot-starter if Rodgers goes down with an injury at some point this coming fall (assuming the 41-year-old eventually signs with Pittsburgh). 

That said, those running the Steelers may feel they have to get Milroe at pick No. 21 if they truly view him as a worthwhile investment for the future. In a mock draft updated on Tuesday morning, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that the New York Giants will grab Milroe at choice No. 34 if he's available. The Cleveland Browns could make Milroe the draft's 33rd pick if they pass on Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 2. 

Milroe played under Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees in college. 

It's possible the Milroe-Steelers talk is a smokescreen and that Pittsburgh truly wants to take Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart at pick No. 21. On Tuesday, Kiper linked Dart with the Los Angeles Rams at selection No. 26. 

Then again, a team such as the Browns or Giants could address a different position with its top pick and then trade back into the first round to acquire either Dart or Milroe.