Steelers' Mike Tomlin Optimistic About Aaron Rodgers' Future: "We Feel Good"

The Pittsburgh Steelers have one of the NFL's most troubling quarterback situations going into the 2025 NFL Draft as the organization has completely turned the room over for the second season in a row. The franchise has had a ton of interest in veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the two sides have been in communication since the start of free agency. Rodgers even visited Pittsburgh, and it seems like a match that will inevitably come to fruition, although Rodgers has not yet made a decision on his future. 

Pittsburgh's brass has been public about their belief that Rodgers will wind up wearing the black and gold during the 2025 season, and this belief was reinforced by the franchise passing up on some of the top quarterbacks in the draft. The Steelers had a chance to draft either Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, or Shedeur Sanders, but passed up on the opportunities. 

Head Coach Mike Tomlin joined Rich Eisen during the NFL's draft coverage, and Eisen asked if the organization passing on top quarterbacks in the draft was indicative of Rodgers' future.

"Rich, I'll give you the latitude to run with it because I know you will anyway," Tomlin said. "We've had conversations. We feel good about our plan at the position. We're excited about what potentially awaits us there."

Tomlin sounds like a man that is fairly certain Rodgers will be coming to Pittsburgh, which allows the Steelers to focus on the weaker parts of the roster throughout the first part of the NFL Draft. The Steelers have reinforced their run defense by drafting Derrick Harmon and Yahya Black, while also adding an intriguing outside linebacker in Jack Sawyer.

Tomlin was asked multiple questions about Rodgers throughout his interview with Eisen and company, and the coach did not want to give too much away. He declined to commit to any sort of answer, but he repeatedly reinforced the optimism that has been surrounding Pittsburgh about Rodgers coming to the Steelers.

"You know, that's certainly a possibility," Tomlin said. "But I'm not going to forecast the ifs and the whens regarding not only him [Rodgers], but any potential free agent. Just rest assured that we've had really productive talks with him and personally, I've enjoyed having really productive talks with him and getting to know him."

Typically when teams do not have their quarterback situation figured out, they panic, but the Steelers showed no signs of that early on in the 2025 NFL Draft. The organization was not going to reach for a quarterback, which shows that Rodgers will likely be signing a contract in Pittsburgh at some point in the near future. When that will happen remains unforeseen, and it doesn't seem like the organization has given him any sort of deadline to sign a deal.

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Although the Steelers passed on some of the top quarterback prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, the organization did select Will Howard out of Ohio State with the 185th selection in the event. Howard won the National Championship at the end of the 2024 season, which was certainly a reason he was so attractive to Pittsburgh. Howard began his college career at Kansas State, and transferred to Columbus ahead of his final collegiate season. He thrived during his final year, which made him extremely draftable.

Howard battled against some of the best defenses in the nation, and he went through an absolute gauntlet to win the National Championship. This doesn't rule out a Rodgers signing by any means however, as the franchise probably sees Howard as a developmental prospect. He can learn behind Rodgers if he does end up in Pittsburgh, and he might end up being the best quarterback option for Pittsburgh going into the 2026 season.

What do you think of Tomlin's comments on Rodgers? Do you like Howard in Pittsburgh? Let us know in the comments below!

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