The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation has remained a major subject of discussion all offseason. In fact, it's been debated ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Now, with uncertainty still looming, the Steelers are once again trying to figure out their long-term plan at quarterback. Whether or not Aaron Rodgers ends up playing in Pittsburgh in 2025, the team appears to be seriously exploring the possibility of drafting a franchise quarterback on Thursday.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers nods to acknowledge someone speaking in his direction.
The 2025 NFL Draft is expected to feature several intriguing quarterback prospects, but the class has already drawn criticism from fans and analysts who believe it lacks elite talent at the top. Despite that, the Steelers are doing their due diligence. With both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walking in free agency after the 2024 season, Pittsburgh is left without a clear answer under center heading into next year. They did bring back Mason Rudolph after one season away, but few have faith he should be the starter for the entirety of the 2025 season.
Steelers General Manager Omar Khan and Head Coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media on Tuesday morning, and Khan addressed concerns about the draft class. While he didn’t offer any specifics, it was clear the organization is confident in its scouting process and open to adding a quarterback if the right opportunity presents itself. The Steelers may not have all the answers yet, but they’re not ignoring the conversation either at the most important position in sports.
"I think it's a good quarterback class," Khan said. "I really do."
There’s no denying the stakes. Pittsburgh can’t afford to keep treading water at the most important position in football. They've tried patchwork solutions, from a first-round gamble on Kenny Pickett to short-term veterans like Mitch Trubisky and Wilson. None of it has worked. The front office now seems more committed than ever to identifying and investing in a true long-term answer.
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Pittsburgh Steelers' former OC, Matt Canada (left) sits beside former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett (right) during a game.
If that means taking a swing on a quarterback in what some believe is a weaker draft class, so be it. History has shown that elite quarterbacks don’t always come from star-studded classes. The Steelers are betting that with the right evaluation process and development, they can find the right guy—regardless of public perception. Khan doesn’t seem interested in waiting for a perfect situation to fall into his lap.
It’s also worth remembering that the 2025 draft class is still very much in motion. A lot can change between now and how the board breaks out starting Thursday night. These prospects rise and fall every season, and several names could end up proving a lot of people wrong. Khan’s confidence might come from early evaluations that aren’t yet public, or from a belief in the coaching infrastructure the Steelers are building to support a young quarterback.
Steelers Must Be Able To Support A Young QB
Another important layer to this story is Arthur Smith. The second-year offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh is known for designing run-heavy, quarterback-friendly systems. If the Steelers do go the draft route, they won’t be asking a rookie to carry the franchise from day one. They’ll be building around a balanced, physical identity that can ease a young quarterback into the league—something Pittsburgh hasn't done in years. Also something many Steelers fans believe they failed to do with Pickett. However, Matt Canada is no longer around so the hope is that the development process would be much better.
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Steelers' Arthur Smith looks on during preseason game against the Texans.
At the end of the day, this is about taking control of the future. The Steelers can’t rely on short-term fixes or hope for a miracle trade. They need to find their guy and build around him. If Khan and Tomlin believe that guy is in the 2025 draft, then the front office needs to trust their evaluations and act decisively. Pittsburgh has always been a franchise built on stability. Now it’s time to bring that same stability back to the quarterback position.
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