Rhys Plumlee

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The Pittsburgh Steelers secured solid depth quarterback insurance at minimal cost, earning a C+ CVI for Rhys Plumlee's $0.8M annual deal. While Plumlee remains unproven at the NFL level, this contract represents textbook risk management for a backup quarterback position — the financial commitment is negligible enough that even replacement-level production would justify the investment. The former Arizona State quarterback brings developmental upside as a young arm who can grow within the Steelers' system, and at under $1M annually, Pittsburgh maintains maximum roster flexibility while addressing their depth chart needs. The modest salary structure eliminates any meaningful downside risk, allowing the organization to evaluate Plumlee's potential without hampering their salary cap situation. This represents the type of low-cost, high-upside gamble that smart franchises make when building out their quarterback room, giving Pittsburgh a lottery ticket that costs virtually nothing if it doesn't pan out.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Rhys's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance AnalysisPre-Debut

Rhys Plumlee has not appeared in an NFL regular season game.

Fan Sentiment

The talk around Rhys Plumlee this stretch nets a C sentiment grade. Media coverage has generated modest attention across multiple sources, but the narrative is one of organizational indifference rather than intrigue—Plumlee arrived as a converted quarterback attempting to land on the roster as a receiver, and the Steelers swiftly moved on, releasing him shortly after the draft in favor of Brandon Johnson and other options. His 2024 season production of 1 tackle across 3 games offered little to build momentum, and the quiet nature of his exit reflected that the organization never viewed him as part of the long-term plan. Recent team activity reinforces this: Pittsburgh's June signings of Daryl Porter Jr., Joaquin Davis, and others suggest the Steelers have moved decisively past this experiment, treating it as routine offseason housekeeping rather than a meaningful roster construction decision. With Pittsburgh sitting at 10-7 and the regular season 91 days away, Plumlee's subsequent landing in the UFL has effectively closed this chapter—he remains yesterday's news in a crowded offseason narrative, a low-stakes camp casualty overshadowed by more substantive roster moves as the Steelers prepare for playoff football.