MOBILE, Ala. - A glance at the prospect rankings or the numerous mock drafts out there show that there are currently two quarterbacks considered at the top of the 2025 NFL Draft class, Cam Ward of Miami (Fla.) and Shedeur Sanders of Colorado.
Who might be the third quarterback selected could be sorted out at least in part this week at the Senior Bowl practices, though the NFL Scouting Combine at the end of February also might help determine that, as well.
And with all three of the quarterbacks from their 2024 season currently not under contract for 2025, the Steelers could find themselves interested in selecting a quarterback at some point in the NFL Draft.
It might not be a first-round pick, but team president Art Rooney II said the team's preference is to re-sign either Russell Wilson, named to the Pro Bowl Games Tuesday, or Justin Fields as the team's starting quarterback with an addition in the draft perhaps added to the equation, as well.
"I think they're both capable quarterbacks. And my preference would be to sign one of them. So that will be the priority, and I think that gives us the best opportunity to move forward," Rooney said Monday. "Obviously, we'll be looking in the draft as well. We've got a whole quarterback room to fill. So there's jobs open in there. So I wouldn't be surprised if we look in the draft, as well, either this year or next. And so that's going to be a priority."
One other thing Rooney said was that it would make sense to have a backup quarterback whose skill set mirrors that of the team's starter.
And that's where things could get interesting.
All of the quarterbacks here in Mobile for the Senior Bowl have the ability to scramble on their collective resumes. But operating out of the pocket in an NFL-style offense also is a must.
"The biggest thing that I always want to do is appreciate each and every quarterback because we're all unique in our own ways," said Alabama's Jalen Milroe, who is competing on the American team here at the Senior Bowl along with Mississippi's Jaxson Dart, Riley Leonard of Notre Dame and Seth Henigan of Memphis.
"I know how hard it is to play the position. And so, to be able to consider yourself a quarterback, be able to lead your team (you) can't take that for granted. All I want to do is put the best foot forward, not be one-dimensional at all when it comes to my playing style."
Milroe is widely considered the best pure runner at the position in this draft – drawing comparisons to Baltimore's Lamar Jackson – but will need to show he can be consistent as a passer after having a down season throwing the ball in 2024 after a coaching change at Alabama.
But Milroe is hardly the only player here capable of being not just a weapon as a runner, but a passer, as well.
That's what is being developed at the collegiate level.
And it doesn't even really matter what level they come from.
Tyler Elgersma is one of the quarterbacks here for the National Team along with Oregon's Dillon Gabriel and Tyler Shough of Louisville.
Haven't heard of Elgersma?
Then you definitely haven't heard of his school, Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario.
But at 6-foot-4, 217 pounds, Elgersma has prototypical size for the position. He also threw for 4,000 yards with 34 touchdowns in 2024 while also running for 229 yards and six more scores.
Elgersma, a late addition to the Senior Bowl rosters when Ohio State's Will Howard pulled out, is just glad for the opportunity to prove himself.
"It meant a lot," Elgersma said of the opportunity to play in the Senior Bowl. "It's a very special opportunity for me to get to come down here with the best of the best and showcase who I am as a player, showcase who I am as a person. I was super-excited when I got that call.
"I think I have a super-high ceiling, but I think I process the game well. I also think I'm a leader. When you combine that with my physical traits, that can be something special. I have a lot of confidence. It's a step up from what I'm used to. But I thought today I got used to the speed and feeling these guys out. We've got some studs in Canada, too, but this is definitely a step up."
That's one adjustment the quarterbacks are forced to make, regardless of where they played.
Learning a new offense quickly is another.
Further still is taking snaps from under center.
For some of the quarterbacks here, they weren't asked to do that in college, operating out of the pistol or shotgun formation.
Add in the fact that they're working with new centers, or in some cases, players who were guards or tackles who are now being tried at center, and it can lead to some sloppiness.
"Some of the centers here have never played center before," said Dart. "So it just takes some time to build some chemistry. We'll be good at it."
The idea is to put your best foot forward, regardless of the situation.
All of the quarterbacks here are dealing with new information being thrown at them while also throwing to a number of new players with which they're not accustomed to working.
In the meantime, they just have to control what they can control. And a lot of that comes with confidence – something which none of the quarterbacks here seems to be lacking.
"I think I have the full package," said Shough, who at nearly 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds is the biggest quarterback here. "I have the arm talent, the arm angles to spin it. I'm a pretty underrated athlete. I can extend plays. I ran quite a bit earlier in my career, but I wasn't asked to do it as much this season. I've played in a pro-style offense, so I feel like I bring a lot to the table when it comes to that."
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
Laying it on the line: The defensive line group here in Mobile is deep and talented.
And Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin seemed to take notice.
Then again, it would have been hard for him to miss, especially when Kentucky's Deone Walker, all 6-foot-7, 340 pounds of him, bowled over a coach holding blocking pads in warm-up drills, knocking him to the ground.
From that point on, the players held the blocking pads for each other.
Tomlin was standing just a few feet away when that happened.
In this group, doing whatever you can to stand out is a must.
Walter Nolen of Mississippi has his own plan to do that. Considered by many to be a first-round talent, Nolen said the key is just practicing hard and letting the tape tell the tale.
"I try to just be as disruptive as possible when I'm on the field," said Nolen, who had 6.5 sacks and 14 tackles for a loss this season. "And I try to be a voice on the defensive line that I know everyone is watching."
