2025 NFL Draft: Jalen Milroe meets with Steelers in Tuscaloosa

Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday evening in Tuscaloosa, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth were all in attendance to have dinner with Milroe.

Pittsburgh owns the No. 21 pick in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft and it appears the franchise is looking at potentially adding Milroe. The Steelers are in need of a QB after letting both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields enter free agency, and perhaps Milroe could be that guy.

The quarterback showed off his dual-threat ability this past season with the Crimson Tide to rush for 726 yards while throwing for 2,844. In fact, Milroe finished with more rushing touchdowns (20) than passing scores (16).

Milroe benefitted greatly in his draft stock after his performance at the recent NFL combine. While he didn’t participate in the 40-yard dash — only three QBs did to be fair — Milroe showed off his cannon of a throwing arm during passing drills and was able to otherwise catch the attention of NFL personnel with just his physical presence and affable personality during team and media interviews.

Milroe was not projected to go in the first round according to the recent mock draft from ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. However, it seems at least one team is considering him thanks to the athleticism he displayed in college and at the combine.

Pittsburgh has already made one move at quarterback this offseason, bringing back Mason Rudolph on a two-year contract. Rudolph spent the first five years of his career with the Steelers but was primarily a backup, so they’re still in search of someone to fill the starting role.

Joel Klatt reacts to Jalen Milroe at NFL Combine, how draft stock was impacted

The Steelers aren’t the only ones impressed with Milroe, who earned praise after the combine from Joel Klatt. The FOX Sports analyst took to his podcast to offer up his opinion on the QB’s draft stock.

“The Combine is a perfect location for a player like Jalen Milroe. … I really love Jalen Milroe, I really do. Now, is he inconsistent? Yes. Does he show top-end talent and traits? Absolutely. And that’s exactly why he is tailor-made for a combine,” Klatt said during Monday’s episode of The Joel Klatt Show. “I wish he would’ve run (the 40-yard dash), because I think that would’ve really grabbed some attention amongst the evaluators in the NFL. I think it would’ve created buzz. … But he didn’t. That’s fine.”

He even drew a comparison to Anthony Richardson, who had a similar showing at the 2023 NFL combine. Richardson was later drafted fourth overall to the Indianapolis Colts.

“But just watching him throw and watching him on tape, seeing him in person – trust me, when you see him in person, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, this guy is an Adonis’” Klatt continued. “Athletically, he does things other guys can’t. And from an evaluator’s standpoint, whenever you see something you can’t teach, it raises your eyebrows and it draws you in, it draws your attention.

“So this type of setting is perfect for Jalen Milroe. In a lot cases, it’s similar to the Anthony Richardson phenomenon. I think teams are going to fall in love with his potential.”