Omar Khan Nate Scheelhaase
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Nate Scheelhaase appears to be emerging as a strong candidate to be the next head coach for Omar Khan and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market for a new quarterback as the NFL’s free agency period is set to kick off on Wednesday, March 11th. While future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers may have the inside track at returning to play for the organization after a strong 2025, there is always the possibility that he may not come back.
If that could be the case, Pittsburgh must be prepared to have another plan centered around another potential quarterback. Luckily, Rodgers isn’t the only veteran quarterback available on the free-agent market. According to multiple sources, the Miami Dolphins released former Pro Bowl quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on Monday. The 28-year-old will now look for a new home after six seasons in South Florida.
Why Tua Tagovailoa Makes Sense for the Pittsburgh Steelers
Former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
GettyFormer Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa has a career record of 1-1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
While Tagovailoa might not be the best option for the organization in terms of finding a quarterback who can take it back to a Super Bowl, he could make a good veteran addition should Rodgers decide that he wants to retire. Tagovailoa could come to Pittsburgh on a one or two-year deal and bring more stability to the quarterback room. Plus, he could gain some more experience playing in the cold weather.
Remember, the Steelers and Rodgers are also very high on young quarterback Will Howard, who they drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard and Tagovailoa could battle for the starting job, which could only benefit the team and whoever the starter is. That is why this could be a win-win for both Tagovailoa and new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy, who is known to be a quarterback guru.
The Steelers Already Have a Playoff-Caliber Roster
Will Howard
GettySteelers quarterback Will Howard led Ohio State to a national title in 2024.
As most saw from Pittsburgh in 2025, this is a playoff-caliber team. In former head coach Mike Tomlin‘s final season in the Steel City, the Steelers not only extended his NFL record for consecutive seasons with a .500-or-better record (19), but they proved that they were a contender as they won the AFC North after another 10-win season.
Even with an aging quarterback playing on a fractured wrist and both sides of the football performing as bottom-third units, the Steelers were good enough situationally to come out on top more often than not. With a strong free agency and draft performance coming up this offseason, Pittsburgh could be right back in the hunt for a potential title run.
Remember, GM Omar Khan now possesses over $46 million in cap space and seven picks within the first four rounds of the upcoming NFL Draft, which will be held in Pittsburgh in April. While Steelers fans might be getting more and more frustrated as the team’s Super Bowl drought continues, they should know that their team is in a position to contend in 2026. Even if Rodgers doesn’t return, the Steelers are a team to look out for as the offseason progresses.