Pittsburgh Steelers' GM Omar Khan has hinted at the possibility of Aaron Rodgers returning as quarterback, but don't be surprised if the team shakes things up further. The Steelers might be on the lookout for a long-term solution at quarterback, which could lead to some interesting moves.
Finding a reliable starting quarterback is no easy feat, especially when aiming for a younger talent. Every team is on the hunt for the next star quarterback, but few strike gold. Pittsburgh would love to replicate the success story of Sam Darnold, who recently led the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl win after signing as a free agent.
However, such luck is rare.
In a mock trade scenario by Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine, Khan is depicted making a move reminiscent of Darnold's path. Ballentine outlines one trade idea per team, and the Steelers' proposal is certainly intriguing, if not controversial. Even with Rodgers potentially re-signing, the franchise might still pursue another quarterback this offseason.
The Steelers should tread carefully with this mock trade to avoid potential pitfalls.
Overvaluing quarterbacks has been a thorn in Pittsburgh's side, notably with the 2022 overdraft of Kenny Pickett, which set the team back. The Steelers have cycled through several quarterbacks since, with no clear end in sight. While Ballentine's proposal isn't entirely off the mark, it's far from ideal.
"If the Steelers can use Herbig to secure a potential long-term quarterback, it would capitalize on his breakout season," Ballentine explained. "For the Niners, turning a backup quarterback into a key player for their next pass rush generation is a win."
In this scenario, the 49ers appear to come out on top.
San Francisco would gain a promising edge rusher ready to make an impact with more opportunities. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh would be taking a significant risk by betting on Mac Jones as their future quarterback post-Rodgers. This gamble could put Khan's position in jeopardy.
Losing Herbig would be a tough blow, and adding a sixth-round pick only adds insult to injury. Jones exemplifies the trend of trying to replicate past successes, like Darnold's with the Seahawks. However, expecting Jones to achieve similar success is a stretch.
Jones, a former first-round pick, has seen his career shift to a backup role but might get another shot at starting. Yet, joining the Steelers amid Rodgers' return seems illogical.
Despite the parallels with Darnold, this move feels destined to fall short. The price is simply too high.
A mid-round pick would be more reasonable, but this deal seems like an overreach.