Art Rooney II, Steelers’ Turns Heads With Response on Potential QB Trade
There has been a lot of media talk this offseason about the Pittsburgh Steelers possibly trading their quarterback. But Steelers president Art Rooney II and the rest of the team have yet to explore that possibility. That is until February 6th.
KDKA TV’s Bob Pompeani asked Rooney in a one-on-one interview if the Steelers would be willing to trade their current quarterback this offseason. Rooney didn’t say yes, but he didn’t dismiss the idea either.
“As we sit here at the beginning of February, we’re not closing the door on anything,” Rooney told Pompeani. “We’re still evaluating a lot. We’ll look at all options and do what we need to do to be better next season.”
Rooney’s response drew backlash on social media, particularly from 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi.
BREAKING: Steelers president Art Rooney II says Steelers legend @kdpomp won’t close door on quarterback trade. (Ex: Justin Fields),” Filliponi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Art Rooney II said the Steelers need to win a playoff game again.
Looney raised the possibility of a new signal caller coming to Pittsburgh via trade less than two weeks after the team president made the emergency announcement during his annual press conference. “We’re fed up,” Rooney said on Jan. 29, via Steelers.com’s Bob Labriola . “Now it’s time to win [the playoffs]. “Now is the time to take the next step. There is definitely a sense of urgency.”
The Steelers are currently on a five-game losing streak in the postseason. The team last won a playoff game in January 2017.
The seven-year playoff drought is the longest in Steelers history since their first playoff win in 1972. Aside from a few seasons under Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have mostly struggled at quarterback during the seven-year drought. The most obvious way for Pittsburgh to improve its chances of ending its postseason drought is by improving its quarterback play. Rooney admitted this at his annual press conference and in his interview with Pompeani.
Steelers fans react to Looney not ‘closing door’ on QB trade.
Clearly, Looney didn’t stop Filipponi with the quarterback idea. But not everyone reacted the same way.
“I’ve never heard of Justin Fields!” JenkCo wrote about X in response to Philliponi. “Another overreaction from Fillipponi,” wrote another user X on 93.7 The Fan Personality.
Other X users criticized Rooney. Gary Martin wrote: “I won’t close the door on anything.” “He is the most uncompromising owner.”
Another X-user said he would pursue Justin Fields, but not in the first round. The Chicago Bears quarterback is one of several signal callers the Steelers have been linked to this offseason. However, Fields is the most popular quarterback mentioned as a trade target for the Steelers. Free agent rumors suggest Kirk Cousins, Russell Wilson (pending cut) and Ryan Tannehill would bring a suitable quarterback back to Pittsburgh.
Many mock draft experts have linked the Steelers to several quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft class.
