Former Steelers Defenders Strongly Suggest That Pittsburgh Steer Clear Of CJ Stroud: "I Don't See It As A Good Idea"

In 2026, the Pittsburgh Steelers will break a five-season streak with a new Week 1 starting quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers returning to the Steel City. With this being his self-proclaimed final year in the league, the team will need to prepare for life without the future Hall of Famer in 2027. They currently have Will Howard in a battle for the team's QB2 spot, and Drew Allar taking a probable redshirt season to learn as much as possible. While Howard and Allar each have their own promising traits, pundits haven't been kind to them in terms of their career trajectories. 

The trend the team has followed in recent seasons is buying low on quarterbacks. Former head coach Mike Tomlin found himself in quarterback purgatory later in his tenure -- not being bad enough as a team overall to draft a top prospect, and thus having to settle for older veterans as the team's starters. With a new coaching staff now in Pittsburgh, there's no telling what the team could do after the upcoming season. They could continue this usual trend, or make a splash acquisition.

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has been making headlines as he is now eligible for a contract extension. The two sides are reportedly not close on a new deal, putting his future with the franchise in question. In the past, the Steelers have been seen as a team that could make some calls regarding Stroud, but two former Steelers defenders believe the team should stay away. James Harrison and Joe Haden recently appeared on an episode of their show, Deebo & Joe, where they discussed NFL news. Harrison mentions Stroud's contract situation and that he wants somewhere between $55 and $60 million a year, a deal that would likely reset the quarterback market. Both Harrison and Haden agreed that the Steelers shouldn't bother pursuing Stroud given his latest playoff performance and the unlikelihood of landing him. 

"I don't think we should do that. It's just what you said, like his rookie year, yeah, everything was going good. We understand you may have a little slump in your sophomore year, all that stuff. Yeah, [interceptions] went up and all that other stuff, and then when it comes down to it, I don't think we have a chance to get him," Harrison said. "If he goes and actually does well this year, they don't pay him as a prove-it year, they can still franchise [tag], and that's why they ain't going to get nowhere on this deal if they not trying to get a man to $55 to $60 million."

Stroud burst onto the scene in his rookie season, leading an unlikely Texans team to a division title and a playoff win. Since then, he has not lived up to the expectations he placed on himself when he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. The playoffs, in particular, have been less than inspiring as well. In the most recent NFL playoffs, Stroud threw just two touchdowns, five interceptions, and fumbled five times. With an overall performance like that, it's hard to imagine the Texans paying him record-breaking money. 

"I don't see it as a good idea. Like you said, the big thing is, dude, the playoffs, like what you did in the playoffs, and your numbers [have] actually gotten lower," Harrison stated. 

The Steelers would be taking a big risk on Stroud, needing to trade the necessary capital to acquire him and then pay him. Perhaps a risk that may not be worth the trouble. 

Steelers Should Stay Away From Stroud

While the Steelers are actively trying to win now, they are also still pursuing their franchise quarterback. With a class as talented as the 2027 quarterbacks are predicted to be, they should put their investment into one of those players instead.

With plenty of different skill sets and archetypes, the Steelers should have no issues getting a suitable option at the long-term quarterback slot. 

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