Pittsburgh Steelers
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Steelers predicted to bring back Aaron Rodgers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have some major question marks at quarterback, and the team is expected to make an intriguing move.
Pittsburgh signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal, and he led the team to an AFC North title and the playoffs. The Steelers are now hoping Rodgers will return. But the team is also expected to explore the quarterback market in the draft.
The Athletic’s Zack Rosenblatt predicted Pittsburgh will bring back Rodgers and then draft LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier.
“Nobody ever really knows what Rodgers is going to do, but it feels like a safe bet that he returns for one more year and the chance to reunite with old friend Mike McCarthy,” Rosenblatt wrote. “At this point, Rodgers is a limited 42-year-old who avoids contact but does just enough to win some games. Ideal for a team that seems dead set on hovering around as a nine-win team for all of eternity.
“If Rodgers is the quarterback, the Steelers then need to decide if Will Howard is good enough to develop as his future replacement or if there is a rookie out there worth bringing in to learn behind one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier would be an interesting target in the second round, where the Steelers pick 53rd.”
Rodgers would likely be the quarterback for just one season, allowing Nussmeier to sit back and learn from him. Then, in 2027, Nussmeier could compete for the starting job and be the Steelers’ franchise quarterback.
Steelers Hopeful Rodgers Returns
Pittsburgh signed Rodgers later on in the offseason in what was expected to be his final year in the NFL.
However, Rodgers showed he still can play. So, Steelers’ insider Mike DeFaboo of The Athletic reported that the team expects Rodgers to be back in 2026.
“Aaron Rodgers had positive exit meetings with the Steelers in January,” DeFaboo wrote. “In the weeks since, people on all levels of the organization — players, coaches and top decision-makers — have maintained consistent communication with the quarterback. The Steelers believe they’ll get an answer from Rodgers in the next few weeks.
“General manager Omar Khan suggested as much publicly, and a number of other team sources indicated the entire organization is under that same assumption. The best way to describe the Steelers’ feelings: They think Rodgers is going to return for 2026, but until he gives them a definitive answer, they can’t speak in certain terms.”
Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions with the Steelers.
Nussmeier Considered a ‘Strong-Armed Passer’
Entering the college football season, Nussmeier was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks selected and a Heisman frontrunner.
However, Nussmeier dealt with an injury that hindered his season. However, The Athletic’s Dan Brugler called the LSU quarterback a strong-armed passer.
“He is similar in size to Rodgers and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote that he is a “strong-armed passer who can efficiently deliver from various arm slots without sacrificing velocity,” Rosenblatt added. “He can make any throw he wants and isn’t shy about testing quickly expiring windows.” Nussmeier’s father, Doug, is a long-time college and NFL coach who worked under new Steelers head coach McCarthy when the two were in Dallas.”
Nussmeier’s best season came in 2024 when he threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.