The Pittsburgh Steelers have already made significant changes to their quarterback depth chart this summer through trades for Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in free agency. Could they complete the offseason trifecta by adding a draft pick to that combination?
Given that Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is expected to visit the Steelers before the draft, it may suddenly be on the team’s radar.
During the 2023 season, it became evident that the Steelers needed to address their quarterback position because former first-round choice Kenny Pickett was having difficulty developing. Even if Wilson and Fields’ additions are only temporary improvements, they are nevertheless risk-free bets.
But there is still the issue of a long-term solution that the Steelers have to worry about. Until they find that long-term option, they will simply be stuck in quarterback purgatory that will continue to limit their ceiling in terms of winning a championship.
Given the depth of this year’s quarterback class – and how weak next year’s is projected to be – it makes sense that the Steelers would at least want to do their due diligence on the signal-callers in this year’s class.
Penix Jr. is an intriguing prospect because while he is not considered to be one of the four top prospects at his position (Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and J.J. McCarthy), he still has a chance to go very high. Especially after displaying an impressive 40-time during his pro day, unofficially clocking in (depending on the stopwatch) between 4.51 seconds and 4.57 seconds, per Senior Bowl executive director Jim Nagy.
In terms of competing this season, the Steelers would be taking a significant risk if they selected Penix Jr. in the first round (at pick No. 20 overall).
The Steelers are returning a top-10 defense that improved this offseason with the acquisitions of Patrick Queen, Donte Jackson, and DeShon Elliott. Last season, the team finished with ten wins and advanced to the playoffs. The team is obviously focused on making a trip back to the postseason this year and, ideally, winning a playoff game for the first time since the 2016 campaign, as seen by the additions of Wilson and Fields at quarterback.
In addition, Pittsburgh still needs a center and offensive tackle help, two positions that may be filled with that first-round selection. They might go after either position at overall No. 20.
But what happens if Penix Jr. begins to fall through the boards? What happens if he advances to or enters the second round of fighting? The Steelers may find it impossible to pass up the chance and the circumstances.
