Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has begun his scouting journey for a new quarterback as he met with a top prospect for dinner ahead of the NFL Draft.
On Tuesday, March 18, Tom Pelissero reported that former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe had dinner with Tomlin, Steelers GM Omar Khan, and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth in Tuscaloosa.
The meeting occurred amid an NFL saga revolving around Aaron Rodgers’ next team, in which the Steelers were once involved in discussions.
After parting ways with the New York Jets behind two disappointing seasons, one he missed with an Achilles tear, the veteran quarterback had been linked to the Giants, Steelers, and Vikings.
However, those options could be even further limited now that the Vikings are behind JJ McCarthy, a 2024 rookie who did not play at all last season due to injury.
With Sam Darnold moving on to the Seattle Seahawks, and Daniel Jones trying to become the starter in Indianapolis, McCarthy has the inside track to be the Vikings’ top signal-caller.
Mike Tomlin reportedly met with Alabama QB Jalen Milroe for dinner ahead of his Pro Day
The meeting happened amid the Pittsburgh Steelers being linked to veteran QB Aaron Rodgers
Read More Why ‘insufferable’ Aaron Rodgers could miss out on lucrative post-NFL career
Rodgers had previously made it known that he was in ‘no rush’ to find a landing spot. Still, Tomlin’s meeting with Milroe could spell doom for his options as the Steelers look to restart from their two-quarterback setup last season.
The Steelers began their season with an abundance at the position, signing both rising star Justin Fields and bona fide veteran Russell Wilson.
Unfortunately, after losing their sixth postseason game in a row, tied for the longest active streak in the league, the franchise has seen their longest playoff drought since 1972 – not having won a playoff game in eight years.
Fields, 25, appeared in 10 games and completed 106 of 161 attempts for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed for 289 yards and found the end zone five times.
On the other hand, the 36-year-old Wilson made 11 appearances, 214 completions for 336 attempts, and tallied 2,482 yards for 16 touchdowns. Wilson did find as much success in rushing with 11 carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns.
Former Alabama QB Jalen Milroe had dinner tonight in Tuscaloosa with #Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, GM Omar Khan and QBs coach Tom Arth ahead of his pro day, per source.Pittsburgh, which continues to explore all options at the QB position, owns the No. 21 pick in April’s draft. pic.twitter.com/NSlHIcYakP
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 19, 2025
Milroe, who played four seasons in Alabama, is projected to be a third-round pick in the draft
Fields ultimately filled the void left by Rodgers’ divorce with the Jets in New York. As a result, Wilson and Rodgers remain on the market, waiting for a team to acquire their services.
Milroe completed 205 of 309 attempts for 2,844 yards and 16 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide this past season. This followed a notable campaign in 2023 where he completed 187 of 284 attempts for 2,834 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also rushed for 12 and 20 in his last two seasons, respectively.
Pittsburgh holds the 21st pick in the draft in which Milroe is projected to be a third-rounder, according to CBS Sports.