Ex-player Calls on Steelers to Sign Unexpected QB

Pittsburgh This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers hope to surround quarterback Kenny Pickett with a new room, and a former player has mentioned a startling candidate. In an interview with Fox Sports Radio’s Up On Game, veteran wide receiver Plaxico Burress of the Steelers stated that the team ought to acquire 2024 unrestricted free agent and former third overall choice Sam Darnold to bolster a quarterback room that is now under renovation.

“You know what makes the most sense for me?” Burress said. “When I say this to people, they kind of look at me and they like ‘Well, he’s not the most desirable of guys,’ but he fits. It’s Sam Darnold. I think he fits what Pittsburgh wants to do right now. Listen, he’s not young Ben Roethlisberger. He’s not a bad quarterback.”

Burress added that he think, no matter what quarterback comes in, they’ll be supported by a strong running game led by new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. To say Darnold’s not young Ben Roethlisberger is an understatement. Over six seasons with the Jets, Panthers and 49ers, Daronold owns 21-35 record as a starter. He’s completed 59.7% of his passes for 12,064 yards, 63 touchdowns and 56 interceptions. Darnold hasn’t made more than 10 starts in a season since 2021. Steelers brass has been clear since the start of the offseason – they need improved quarterback play to take the next step. They want Pickett to prove he’s capable of taking a jump this season and want free agent Mason Rudolph back to compete for the starting job after closing the 2023 season with a 3-1 record as a starter over the Steelers’ final four games.