The Pittsburgh Steelers have to make a big decision at quarterback for the 2025 season. Pittsburgh brought back Mason Rudolph after a one-season stint with the Tennessee Titans, but he doesn't instill much confidence as the potential starter. While he’s a familiar face, there are doubts about whether he can lead the team back to playoff contention. Meanwhile, Russell Wilson has been vocal about his desire to return to the Steel City, but the Steelers have their eyes set on a different quarterback.
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Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson gets ready to throw the ball during an away game.
Pittsburgh’s main focus appears to be on 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers believe Rodgers still has elite quarterback play left in him, despite his age. His experience and leadership could bring a fresh dynamic to the team, but there’s a catch. Rodgers is taking his time to decide on his future, and the Steelers are not rushing to make a move, creating a bit of a roadblock in the process. The uncertainty surrounding Rodgers' next step is causing some frustration within the Steelers' fan base.
On Thursday, former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley addressed the team’s quarterback situation on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Haley, who knows the organization well, offered his insights on the team’s need for a proven leader at the position. His comments sparked further debate about the Steelers' approach to securing their quarterback of the future. The clock is ticking, and Pittsburgh must make a decision soon on who will lead them into the 2025 season.
"The best answer is still to me finding a way to come to terms with Aaron Rodgers," Haley said. "I think Pittsburgh would be a perfect place for him from a perception standpoint and from a place to win. Rodgers is the best case scenario."
The Steelers’ offense hasn’t been the same since Haley and Ben Roethlisberger were in sync, and that’s exactly why Haley believes Pittsburgh needs to make the boldest move possible — going all in on Rodgers for the 2025 season.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks confused while speaking to members of the media.
Haley argues that Rodgers could bring the spark the Steelers’ offense has been missing for years. While he’s not thrilled at the idea of Wilson returning, Haley acknowledges that with DK Metcalf now in the mix, Wilson might have a shot at regaining his form — but it’s far from his first choice.
"If it’s Russell Wilson coming back around, it’s very hard for me to get excited if they just rewind and do what they did," said Haley.
Wilson returned from a six-game absence due to a calf injury and finished the season as the starter. Prior to that, Justin Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record as the starter. However, when Wilson returned, he initially made the offense look dynamic.. Many Steelers fans started to believe that a partnership between Arthur Smith and Wilson could be a perfect match.
However, as the competition intensified, Wilson’s performance declined significantly. He struggled to navigate the pocket, and his mobility was nowhere near what it used to be. While not all the blame could be placed on him, it became clear that Wilson didn’t do enough to solidify his spot as Pittsburgh’s top choice moving forward.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Well Aware Of The Mounting Pressure From The Fan Base
The organization, particularly Mike Tomlin, is acutely aware of the mounting pressure from the fan base. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since the 2016 season, and the drought has created a sense of urgency.
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Steelers' Mike Tomlin looks on during a snowy game in Cleveland.
With the spotlight intensifying, Tomlin and the Steelers know they need to end that streak, and that’s exactly why Haley is pushing for Pittsburgh to close the deal with Rodgers. The Steelers are clearly interested, but they’re waiting on Rodgers to make his decision. The clock is ticking, and the pressure is on to make the right move.
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