The Steelers are headed toward another quarterback decision, and Baker Mayfield is suddenly part of the conversation.
With extension talks between Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still unresolved, the veteran passer could wind up in free agency, unless he gets tagged or is moved in a tag-and-trade. If that door opens, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio said during an appearance on "Pardon My Take" that Mayfield might be willing to take less money to land in Pittsburgh.
"I could see him taking less money to go to Pittsburgh," Florio said.
That possibility fits neatly into a Steelers reality that has been hard to escape for years: the team keeps cycling through quarterback stopgaps, and none of them has looked like the long-term answer. Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields all came through in recent seasons without really changing the overall outlook, even if the Steelers managed back-to-back playoff appearances and 10-win seasons.
Rodgers is back for the 2026 season, but he has already made it clear that he won’t be returning after that. Unless Will Howard or Drew Allar makes a major jump and proves ready to take over, Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy are likely staring down another reset next offseason.
The 2027 NFL Draft is the obvious place for Pittsburgh to hunt for its next franchise quarterback. That class is described as a strong one, and it may end up being the Steelers’ best shot at finally ending the yearly search.
Still, if Mayfield does reach the market, Pittsburgh would have to at least consider him. He would be a clear upgrade over the team’s recent veteran quarterback options and could help raise the Steelers’ ceiling in the AFC. He would also fit the way the organization seems to be operating right now, with McCarthy functioning more like a bridge head coach while the current core tries to squeeze out as much as it can before the team eventually shifts gears.
The catch is the price. Unless Mayfield is willing to come in below what he could otherwise command - maybe in the neighborhood of $50 million per year - the Steelers probably should walk away.
They could create the cap room to make it happen even with just $3.939 million projected for 2027, according to Over the Cap. But at some point, Pittsburgh has to decide whether it’s serious about finding the next long-term answer or just settling for another veteran placeholder.
Mayfield wouldn’t be a bad option. He just wouldn’t be the clean break the Steelers keep needing.
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