Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Steelers not pursuing any of the available big-name QBs?

By Aaron Becker | Last updated 3/4/24

The Steelers have been rumored to be interested in signing or trading for every available quarterback this offseason.

However, The Athletic's Dianna Russini revealed that Pittsburgh is, in fact, "not among the teams actively working to trade for [Justin] Fields.'

The news may come as a surprise to some after general manager Omar Khan didn't shut down any of the speculation when asked about obtaining a quarterback via a trade or free agency at the NFL Scouting Combine last weekend.

"I have an obligation to look at every avenue that's out there to try to make us a better football team," Khan said.

Steelers GM Omar Khan was asked by @MarkKaboly if he’s trading for Justin Fields: pic.twitter.com/3c06zxYxFa
— Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) February 29, 2024

To make matters worse, Russini also said that Fields isn't the only big-name quarterback the Steelers are out on.

"Pittsburgh is also not pursuing Kirk Cousins or Baker Mayfield in free agency," Russini added. "The Steelers are not interested in signing [Russell] Wilson in the likely event he's released by the Denver Broncos."

Instead, it seems Pittsburgh is only interested in running it back with QB Kenny Pickett, who's thrown just 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in 25 games.

It doesn't make a lot of sense after the Steelers have consistently said they plan to bring in competition for Pickett this offseason.

However, they are clearly hoping that competition is QB Mason Rudolph, who started the final four games of the season, including the team's playoff game, throwing for 945 yards, five touchdowns and only one interception.

Khan said that he has contacted Rudolph's representation and told them the team "wants him to be a part of the process," per Dale Lolley of Steelers.com.

Rudolph's numbers aren't bad by any means, but they are good enough to hang with the rest of the NFL's elite quarterbacks.

Pittsburgh is clearly not ready to admit it whiffed on its 2022 first-round pick and is setting up what is likely to be another underwhelming season in 2024. Unless the Steelers change their mind on their quarterback situation, of course.

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