The Pittsburgh Steelers will be in the market for a quarterback over the offseason, but they’re being urged to avoid one particular player.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report recently compiled a list of pending NFL free agents that teams should avoid in 2026, and quarterback Daniel Jones was included on the list.
Steelers urged to avoid Daniel Jones in free agency
Jones resuscitated his career with the Indianapolis Colts last season, but he suffered an Achilles tear that casts doubt on his future, especially for the 2026 season. It remains to be seen how quickly, or how fully, he’ll be able to return to the player that he was prior to the injury.
“If the Duke product returns to full strength and gets back to the level he was displaying prior to his injuries this past season, he could be a bargain for one of the many QB-needy clubs around the league,” Kay wrote.
“If Jones is limited—much like Kirk Cousins was during his first season with the Atlanta Falcons following a season-ending Achilles tear three years ago—this could be one of the more regrettable free-agent signings in recent history.”
The Steelers will have other options when it comes to quarterback over the offseason, so avoiding Jones shouldn’t be especially difficult. Plus, Jones is widely expected to re-sign with the Colts in free agency to continue his career in Indianapolis, so he might not be an option for Pittsburgh anyway.
Meanwhile, the Steelers remain open to brining back Aaron Rodgers for another season, even following the departure of head coach Mike Tomlin. However, Steelers owner Art Rooney II recently cast doubt on Rodgers returning without Tomlin.
"Look, Aaron came here to play for Mike,” Rooney said in a press conference last week. “So I think it would most likely affect his decision.”
What the Steelers ultimately decide to do at the quarterback position will be one of the bigger stories of the offseason, especially in the AFC.
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