Aaron Rodgers left with clear decision to make as Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback plan emerges
The Pittsburgh Steelers are stacked for next year. The franchise has 12 picks in what is looking like a quarterback-loaded 2026 draft class, calling into question where prospective new recruit Aaron Rodgers may lie in their plans. Aaron Rodgers has yet to officially pen a deal with the SteelersGetty For the 2025 season, all signs point to the Steelers being invested in 41-year-old Rodgers, but it’s a short term option at best. Even if no deal has yet been signed – and part-owner Art Rooney II has suggested that a deal is likely – a draft class this year seemed to be assembled around Rodgers. The team passed on a quarterback four times before they selected 24-year-old Ohio prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, demonstrating that they are expecting an imminent quarterback arrival. “We did not factor in whether Aaron is coming or not into that,” Rooney said of the team’s draft decisions to that point, although actions speak louder than words. The franchise could have drafted Sheuder Sanders, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough with their 83rd pick, but instead they went with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Such decisions make it seem they are confident that they’ll land Rodgers or they believe Mason Rudolph is a capable Week One starter. Another option could be a longer-term plan and priming themselves for a significant move in 2026. The Steelers’ 12 picks in next year’s draft include one each in the first and second round, three in the third round, two each in the fourth, fifth, sixth round and one in the seventh round. With the 2026 draft loaded with quarterbacks, that’s enough assets to make a move. The Steelers may prefer to work with Rodgers this year before landing a prized long-term option with their picks next year – but how long would Rodgers want to play on. Tomlin will be delighted with their draft options for next yearGetty Pittsburgh is the most likely landing spot for Rodgers but he is yet to make his final decisionGetty And how much would he take on mentoring a quarterback? Rodgers may well have a decision to make, sign with a franchise that potentially views him as little more than a sticking plaster – a Super Bowl winning, four-time MVP sticking plaster. Either way, it’s clear that the Steelers quarterback situation – with or without Rodgers – remains a question mark and coach Mike Tomlin says he is comfortable with Rudolph as their starter. “That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said about Rudolph. “I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.” General manager Omar Khan echoed Tomlin when asked if he was also comfortable with Rudolph. “I have a lot of confidence in Mason,” Khan said. The 29-year-old went 3-0 as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback at the end of the 2023 regular season. In March, they signed the quarterback to a two-year, $7.5 million contract. “We had a need at the position, as you guys know, and he was available and had an interest in coming back,” Khan said. “Our experience with Mason’s been relatively positive, so he made sense.” Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
The Pittsburgh Steelers are stacked for next year.
The franchise has 12 picks in what is looking like a quarterback-loaded 2026 draft class, calling into question where prospective new recruit Aaron Rodgers may lie in their plans.
For the 2025 season, all signs point to the Steelers being invested in 41-year-old Rodgers, but it’s a short term option at best.
Even if no deal has yet been signed – and part-owner Art Rooney II has suggested that a deal is likely – a draft class this year seemed to be assembled around Rodgers.
The team passed on a quarterback four times before they selected 24-year-old Ohio prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, demonstrating that they are expecting an imminent quarterback arrival.
“We did not factor in whether Aaron is coming or not into that,” Rooney said of the team’s draft decisions to that point, although actions speak louder than words.
The franchise could have drafted Sheuder Sanders, Jaxson Dart or Tyler Shough with their 83rd pick, but instead they went with Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson.
Such decisions make it seem they are confident that they’ll land Rodgers or they believe Mason Rudolph is a capable Week One starter.
Another option could be a longer-term plan and priming themselves for a significant move in 2026.
The Steelers’ 12 picks in next year’s draft include one each in the first and second round, three in the third round, two each in the fourth, fifth, sixth round and one in the seventh round.
With the 2026 draft loaded with quarterbacks, that’s enough assets to make a move.
The Steelers may prefer to work with Rodgers this year before landing a prized long-term option with their picks next year – but how long would Rodgers want to play on.
And how much would he take on mentoring a quarterback?
Rodgers may well have a decision to make, sign with a franchise that potentially views him as little more than a sticking plaster – a Super Bowl winning, four-time MVP sticking plaster.
Either way, it’s clear that the Steelers quarterback situation – with or without Rodgers – remains a question mark and coach Mike Tomlin says he is comfortable with Rudolph as their starter.
“That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said about Rudolph.
“I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”
General manager Omar Khan echoed Tomlin when asked if he was also comfortable with Rudolph. “I have a lot of confidence in Mason,” Khan said.
The 29-year-old went 3-0 as Pittsburgh’s starting quarterback at the end of the 2023 regular season.
In March, they signed the quarterback to a two-year, $7.5 million contract.
“We had a need at the position, as you guys know, and he was available and had an interest in coming back,” Khan said.
“Our experience with Mason’s been relatively positive, so he made sense.”
Stay up to date with the latest from the NFL across all platforms – follow our NFL Facebook page, subscribe to our talkSPORT End Zone YouTube channel for all the offseason news, interviews and more
