The Pittsburgh Steelers have been taking much criticism from pundits and fans for how they have handled their recent quarterback decisions. In 2024, they had Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, but in the minds of the Steelers' brass, neither did enough to warrant paying up to keep them in 2025. They allowed both to walk for affordable deals, proving they had no interest in moving forward with either. Now, the Steelers are entangled in a saga as they await 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers' decision on whether he wants to play in the Steel City. All signs seem to point to Rodgers joining the Steelers on a one-year deal for 2025, but truly, no one in the media knows what he’s thinking.
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Former Green Bay Packers and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a round of golf.
While some criticize Pittsburgh for waiting on Rodgers, the reality is that they aren’t taking on any real risk. They haven’t committed big money to an unproven quarterback or made a desperation trade for a stopgap option. By staying patient, the Steelers maintain financial flexibility and control over their roster-building process. If Rodgers decides to sign, they land a future Hall of Famer. If he doesn’t, they can pivot to other veteran options or look toward the draft.
On Friday, ESPN analyst Dan Graziano addressed the situation on Unsportsmanlike, arguing that the Steelers truly aren’t losing anything by waiting on Rodgers. He pointed out that Pittsburgh has avoided making costly mistakes and remains in a strong position regardless of Rodgers’ decision. While the speculation continues, the Steelers appear content to let Rodgers take his time, knowing they hold the leverage in this situation.
"Draft somebody and also probably sign somebody. See, here's the thing, people are like, how long can they wait? If Rodgers tells 'em no, then they go to what, like Joe Flacco or Carson Wentz? Those are probably the top two free agents still out there, right? So, if they lose Carson Wentz while they're waiting around for Aaron Rodgers, that's not gonna make or break their season," Graziano explained. "So I think they go to whatever the veteran option is that's out there, and if they don't think any of 'em are better than Mason Rudolph, who they already brought back, then they don't have to do it."
Graziano pointed out that if the Steelers don’t land Rodgers, their next move will likely be exploring the remaining veteran options, such as Carson Wentz or Joe Flacco.
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Steelers' Patrick Queen disrupts a pass from Joe Flacco in 2024.
However, he argued that missing out on those quarterbacks wouldn’t be a loss, as he doesn’t view them as viable solutions. Instead of settling for another short-term stopgap, Pittsburgh would be better off looking toward a more sustainable answer.
"But I do think the Steelers will address that position in draft and they'll try to do it fairly early because they know they have to get this figured out for the long-term," Graziano said. "Even if they sign Aaron Rodgers, he's 41 years old, he's not the long-term solution for them or anybody else. So, I think the Steelers probably look at a quarterback in the draft relatively early on."
Regardless of Rodgers’ decision, Graziano expects the Steelers to target a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL Draft. Even if Rodgers signs for a year, Pittsburgh still needs a long-term plan at the position. Waiting on Rodgers doesn’t hurt their ability to do that—it simply keeps all options open while avoiding desperation moves.
Steelers Could Strike While The Market Is Weak
Every draft expert and football fan has been adamant about how weak this quarterback class is, but that hasn’t deterred the Steelers. Reports indicate they have interest in a few prospects and are exploring the possibility of finding value later in the draft. While the class lacks star power at the top, Pittsburgh sees an opportunity to uncover a hidden gem.
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Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe during a college game.
Sometimes, the smartest teams make their move when the market is at its weakest. The Steelers are taking that approach, searching for potential where others aren’t looking. They’ve spent several seasons trying to secure a true franchise quarterback, and regardless of what happens with Rodgers, they appear poised to take another shot in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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