5 teams who could trade for and get Sam Darnold on the right track

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have to be thinking about who will succeed Ben Roethlisberger, and last year’s experience with Mason Rudolph and Devlin “Duck” Hodges for 14-plus games proved the solution is not on the current roster. The 2021 draft could provide a fresh option.

Darnold has an early advocate in Pittsburgh, college teammate JuJu Smith-Schuster. Via CBS Sports’ “All Things Covered” podcast in late September.

That my guy, man. Sam Darnold, if we could get him to Pittsburgh, I would, but I love Ben [Roethlisberger] so it is what it is,” “I’m just saying he’s a great kid. I played with him so he’s one of my boys so I wouldn’t mind playing with him again.”

“There’s no doubt that he has that ‘it’ factor in him. The NFL’s a lot different now, schemes and all that other stuff so I think that it just takes time. I think his time is coming soon. Right now, I think it’s tough.”

The Steelers can provide stability and structure that just does not exist with the Jets. Roethlisberger is under contract through 2021. Retirement or playing into his 40’s seemingly in play, after years of his hints he could call it quits at any time (which have faded in recent years).

The Steelers aren’t likely to be in position to draft one of the top quarterback prospects in next year’s class. Making a trade for Darnold, assuming the Jets are ready to move away from him, would be a reasonable pivot to a young quarterback with an eye on the post-Roethlisberger future.