Reporter makes ‘bold prediction’ about Steelers’ interest in Milroe

The Pittsburgh Steelers were initially linked with Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe back when it seemed to be a lock that the club would sign veteran Aaron Rodgers at some point this spring. 

With Rodgers’ future still unknown one week ahead of the start of the 2025 NFL Draft, Steelers reporter Mike DeFabo of The Athletic indicated in an article published on Thursday that Milroe isn’t on Pittsburgh’s radar.

“For whatever reason,” DeFabo said, “Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has generated a lot of buzz in Pittsburgh. Colin Cowherd claimed that an NFL executive told him the Steelers ‘really like’ the mobile quarterback and said, ‘If (at) the 21st pick Milroe’s not taken, Pittsburgh is leaning now and taking him.’ I’m hearing the exact opposite. In fact, I’m going to make a bold prediction that if Milroe is sitting there in the third round, the Steelers still won’t draft him.”

Milroe’s alleged draft stock has been a roller-coaster ride since he reportedly left much to be desired with his Senior Bowl week performances. While he later impressed some teams during the NFL Scouting Combine and via subsequent workouts, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said earlier in April he didn’t “think” Pittsburgh would make the young signal-caller the 21st pick of the draft. 

That take was offered before recent suggestions hinted that Milroe could fall to the second or even the third round of the draft. For what it’s worth, both Dane Brugler and Charlotte Carroll of The Athletic think the New York Giants could grab Milroe with the second pick of the draft’s second round. 

Analysts and scouts view Milroe as a project for the future who should sit for at least one entire NFL season to work on his passing mechanics. In his final prospect rankings posted on Thursday, ESPN’s Field Yates gave Milroe a third-round grade. 

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh may need to target a quarterback during the draft who can start in September, such as Louisville’s Tyler Shough, if it’s true that the Steelers “have no idea whether or not Aaron Rodgers is gonna sign with them” before training-camp practices get underway later this summer. Pittsburgh could also take a flier on Ohio State’s Will Howard depending on how far he drops down the draft order.