Until Aaron Rodgers informs the Pittsburgh Steelers of his decision for the 2026 season, it’s hard to get a real projection of what the offense might look like. Yet, while it’s only getting later into the offseason, the Steelers won’t be panicking if Rodgers retires, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Ray Fittipaldo. While the Steelers hope that Rodgers returns, Fittipaldo says they’re ready to move on if he retires.
“They are very comfortable, one way or the other. Because they know, eventually, that they have to move on and develop a franchise quarterback. And if it so happens that Aaron Rodgers decides to retire this year, they have told us that they are comfortable and looking forward to working with Will Howard. And Mason Rudolph is already in the building,” Fittipaldo said Tuesday on The North Shore Drive
Pittsburgh has been vocal about its pursuit of Rodgers all offseason. But Omar Khan also mentioned that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if Rodgers didn’t return. The Steelers know they need to find a franchise quarterback sooner rather than later, a key part of their decision to bring in Mike McCarthy, who’s consistently gotten the most out of his quarterbacks.
If Rodgers doesn’t return, one obvious candidate is Will Howard. Someone who McCarthy finds a way to compliment essentially every time he speaks in a public setting.
But the Steelers also have 12 draft picks to work with. And Fittipaldo wouldn’t be surprised if the Steelers select a quarterback somewhere near the middle of the draft.
“It’s probably going to be with one of those three third-round picks, maybe one of those two fourth-round picks… And one guy, I think, really, you should keep an eye on, is Drew Allar. Because he’s that big, if there was a definition of a guy would look like Ben Roethlisberger, he would be it… You could probably put [Carson] Beck in there with Allar as well.”
Allar would be an interesting choice. Fittipaldo compares him to Ben Roethlisberger, and there are some similar traits. But Allar’s draft stock fell tremendously in 2025. He wasn’t able to show up consistently in the most important moments at Penn State and had some tough losses in 2025. In the midst of that season crumbling, his collegiate career was cut short by an ankle injury.
Beck has some faults. But for what it’s worth, he did win some bigger games towards the end of his own collegiate career. In his sixth season as a College Football player, he found a way past Texas A&M, Ohio State and Ole Miss for three straight playoff wins. He nearly took down Indiana in the National Championship game, but came up just short.
There’s a reason both Allar and Beck are third-round talents. Yet, each has some traits worth developing. If Rodgers doesn’t return, the Steelers might be fine with Howard, Mason Rudolph, or another veteran anyway. But with 12 picks, it wouldn’t hurt to take a shot on Allar or Beck if the value is there.
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