The Pittsburgh Steelers entered the NFL playoffs on a low note, blowing a two-game division lead late in the season and becoming only the third team in history to enter on a four-game losing streak. Quarterback Russell Wilson has struggled during the team’s late-season downturn, averaging close to 175 passing yards per game while making some costly mistakes. Though the Steelers still have a chance to turn things around — or potentially turn to backup Justin Fields — one analyst believes the team will find a new quarterback by 2025. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the Steelers are a top destination for quarterback Sam Darnold, who is regarded as the No. 1 free agent for the upcoming offseason.
Knox stated that Darnold had an unexpected breakout season with the Minnesota Vikings, replacing injured rookie J.J. McCarthy and led the team to a 14-3 record. “Don’t be shocked if the Steelers make a play for Darnold now that their quarterback outlook appears much less sunny than it did a few months ago,” Knox told reporters. “ESPN’s Brooke Pryor reported that Russell Wilson wants to play ‘five to seven more years,’ but Darnold would be a far better long-term investment for Pittsburgh.” The Steelers would not receive the same discount as the Vikings did with Darnold. The 2018 first-round pick inked a one-year, $10 million contract with Minnesota this offseason after seeing practically no time the previous year as Brock Purdy’s backup for the San
Francisco 49ers. Darnold is coming off a season in which he completed 66.2% of his throws for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
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