Love him or (hope the Steelers) leave him, it is Aaron Rodgers or bust in Pittsburgh.
At least when it comes to the start of the new NFL year and accompanying free-agent signing period. Both begin at 4 PM/ET Wednesday, which is… midnight somewhere. They are preceded by 52 hours of legal tampering when it comes to pending free agents. That there is an oxymoronic name for such a window that tells us that tampering is underway.
Not that it matters when it comes to the Steelers’ immediate quarterback plans.
We know that Rodgers is the soon-to-be free agent the Steelers are targeting because of what he said last week on The Pat McAfee Show. Or what he didn’t say during an interview that covered many things, including the paparazzi sucking more than Monday mornings.
Rodgers made it clear to McAfee, his fellow brahs, and anyone who was watching that a decision about his 2026 plans is not imminent.
The Steelers, judging by what GM Omar Khan said late last month at the NFL Combine, are willing to play the Rodgers waiting game again. And maybe that is a good thing.
Or at least not a bad thing.
The QB free agent pool offers pretty much what the 2026 NFL Draft when it comes to the Steelers finally finding the rightful heir to Ben Roethlisberger: a dart throw.
From the 50-yard line at Acrisure Stadium.
Malik Willis is about to cash in six starts and four seasons into his NFL career. But that says as much about supply and demand as it does him lighting up the Ravens in Week 17 last season.
Kyler Murray, the former No. 1 overall draft pick has pedigree, a resume that includes two Pro Bowls and a birth certificate that says he does not turn 29 until early August. He is intriguing, but his size and playing style have not done him any favors when it comes to staying healthy.
Geno Smith? Yeah, not even going there.
It will be shocking if the Steelers pursue them or any other QBs during the first wave of free agency. Or if QBs who will be in demand would even consider the Steelers given the Aaron Rodgers factor.
Rodgers being his usual vague self on McAfee’s show may have provided the most clarity yet on the Steelers’ 2026 QB plans. Rodgers will be their guy if he plays a 22nd NFL season (and in Pittsburgh) with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph battling to be QB2 behind him. In this scenario, the Steelers likely draft a QB late to round out the room.
If Rodgers calls it a career, I see the Steelers letting Howard and Rudolph battle for the starting job and drafting a QB relatively early.
Given the dearth of high-end QB talent and the Steelers having three picks in the third round that would be the sweet spot for them. Maybe they add a veteran QB – care to complete the AFC North grand slam, Joe Flacco? – later in free agency too.
That might actually be the better of the two paths the Steelers seem poised to take.
Related Items:2026 NFL Draft, Aaron Rodgers, Geno Smith, Joe Flacco, Kyler Murray, Malik Willis, Mason Rudolph, Omar Khan, Pat McAfee Show, Pittsburgh Steelers, Will Howard
Recommended for you