Former Dolphins quarterback Skylar Thompson has signed a reserve/futures contract with the Steelers, according to his agency, SportsTrust Advisors.
In 2024, Thompson beat out Mike White for the Dolphins’ backup quarterback job during training camp and appeared in three regular season games, including a Week 3 start in place of Tua Tagovailoa after his concussion. Thompson was sacked five times in the game before leaving with a rib injury. He played just two more snaps before the end of the season and finished with 21 completions on 33 attempts for 187 passing yards.
The former seventh-round pick also started two games during Tagovailoa’s absence in Thompson’s 2022 rookie year. The former Kansas State Wildcat struggled in his first taste of NFL action, completing just 60 of his 105 passing attempts for 534 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.
Now, Thompson will join the Steelers as Mike Tomlin and his staff prepare to spend a second straight offseason navigating the quarterback position. Last year, they signed Russell Wilson and traded for Justin Fields, who combined for less than $5MM against the salary cap, per OverTheCap. Wilson won the starting job in training camp, but a calf injury gave Fields the chance to start the first six games of the 2024 season. The Steelers led the AFC North with a 4-2 record with Fields under center, but still turned to Wilson once he was healthy. Pittsburgh went 6-5 in his starts and fell to second place in the division after two losses to the Ravens.
Fields averaged 158.5 passing yards per game in his starts compared to Wilson’s 225.6, but the players recorded similar passer ratings. Fields also brought more to the run game and occasionally took the field for Wilson in short-yardage situations later in the season. Wilson has recently expressed his desire to remain in Pittsburgh, but his late-season struggles may have the team turning towards a younger and less expensive option in Fields.
Regardless of which 2024 starter stays in Pittsburgh, Thompson will likely compete for the Steelers’ backup gig next summer. As of now, no other quarterbacks are under contract, though Kyle Allen could re-sign after spending this year as the third-stringer.