Steelers Great Bill Cowher Reveals His "Best Choice" For Quarterback And It's Surprising

The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has remained uncertain all offseason. Early on, it became more clear when Justin Fields left in free agency to join the New York Jets on a better offer. The Steelers are now left to choose between Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers for the 2025 season. At least, that’s how it feels. The debate has raged on about which quarterback would be the better fit. Steeler Nation is familiar with Wilson’s ups and downs, while curiosity about Rodgers remains despite the concerns surrounding his age and the hefty price tag.

Rodgers, now 41 years old, has kept everyone waiting as he takes his time to make a decision about his future. The uncertainty surrounding his commitment adds another layer of complexity to the situation. While Rodgers has been an elite quarterback in the past, his age and injuries raise legitimate concerns. Yet, the potential reward of bringing in a healthy Rodgers is tantalizing, as he could elevate the offense in ways Wilson might not be able to. Steelers fans are left to wonder if it’s worth the gamble.

Former Steelers Head Coach Bill Cowher joined The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday to weigh in on the quarterback debate. Cowher, known for his strong leadership and keen football insight, shared his thoughts on what the Steelers should do moving forward. His perspective on the situation could carry significant weight within the fan base as the team looks to make a crucial decision about their future at the quarterback position.

"I personally think that Russell Wilson is your best choice," Cowher said. "The offensive line will be better with Fautanu coming back and moving Broderick to left tackle. I think they are looking at the best-receiving corps you are gonna have in a long time in terms of if you are gonna keep George Pickens. That will be the next conversation that you will have to have."

The main issue with bringing Wilson back for the 2025 season stems from how the 2024 campaign ended. The Steelers’ performance collapsed, and Wilson didn’t do enough to prevent the slide. 

However, Cowher urged fans to be fair to Wilson, acknowledging that the losing streak at the end of the season wasn’t solely his fault. Cowher emphasized the need to consider the broader picture, rather than placing all the blame on one player.

"You think about the last five losses," Cowher said. "This wasn’t just on Russell Wilson. Two of those teams were in the Super Bowl and then you lost three games to division teams—two to Baltimore and one to Cincinnati. Those were very much playoff-caliber teams and the defense didn’t play up to snuff to be quite honest with you."

Steelers Fans Felt Like Russell Wilson's Limitations Were Exposed In 2024

While it’s true that not everything falls on Wilson, Steelers fans felt his limitations were exposed during the losing streak. This has sparked a desire for a quarterback who can elevate the team against the league's top contenders, which is why Rodgers has become such a focal point. Although no one expects the Steelers to win all those games, particularly against the NFL’s elite, the lack of competitiveness in many of those matchups raised concerns.

Given how easily the Steelers were outmatched in those games, it’s hard to justify paying Wilson significantly more money for potentially similar results. Fans are hoping for a quarterback who can lead the team with more consistency and effectiveness, especially against the toughest opponents. The question now is whether Rodgers can be the answer to what Wilson couldn’t provide. If Cowher got to pick, he would take Wilson and that's very interesting to hear.

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