The case for and against Steelers trading for Matthew Stafford 

With Matthew Stafford potentially available and the Steelers in desperate need of a quarterback upgrade, many are connecting the dots. 

And while Stafford would be a significant improvement from what Pittsburgh has had under center in recent years, there are two sides to the debate about whether the Steelers should go after the future Hall of Famer.

Why Steelers should trade for Stafford

Simply put, Stafford might be the only way the Steelers can contend in 2025. While some want Pittsburgh to run it back with Justin Fields and spend a season figuring out if he could be the future, it's tough to imagine a scenario where he would be better than Stafford. Stafford would be better than retaining Russell Wilson or bringing in Aaron Rodgers or Kirk Cousins, too. 

Steelers owner and president Art Rooney II has continuously voiced being fed up with not winning playoff games, yet the Steelers are often hesitant to change their ways, go all in or make a big move. Trading for Stafford would be that and quiet those critics. 

Stafford, who threw for 3,762 yards with 20 touchdowns and only eight interceptions in 2024, would instantly provide the Steelers with their most dynamic signal-caller since Ben Roethlisberger. 

And while some may view Stafford as a similar move to the addition of Wilson last offseason as far as an aging veteran option, Stafford has shown he's still able to play at a much higher level and is coming off a 324-yard performance against the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles in the playoffs. 

If Pittsburgh truly feels a sense of urgency and wants to become a contender in 2025, giving up whatever is needed for Stafford is likely the only way that's even possible. 

Why Steelers should NOT trade for Stafford 

Even though Stafford would be a significant upgrade at the most important position, the Steelers have too many issues for it to matter. And if Pittsburgh won't have a true shot at getting to a Super Bowl with Stafford, what's the point? 

The Steelers roster needs help at wide receiver, needs more depth for the offensive line and has holes all over the defense. Pittsburgh is simply much further from crawling into the postseason as a wild card to legitimately being a threat to come out of the AFC. 

In 2024, the Steelers were able to shake up their quarterback room with low-risk moves — Denver paid most of Wilson's salary, and they only had to give up a sixth-round pick for Fields. But trading for Stafford would likely come at such a high price that it would hamper being able to improve the rest of the roster. 

It's also unlikely Stafford would all of a sudden be fine with his current salary figure after being traded — he's set to earn $27 million in 2025, which puts him well shy of where the market suggests a quarterback at his level should be paid. 

If the Steelers decide the latter argument prevents them from pulling the trigger on a Stafford trade, several other teams may be interested.