The Pittsburgh Steelers just wrapped up the 2025 NFL Draft, and it was heavily focused on the defensive side of the ball. Only two picks were spent on offense, as Pittsburgh added running back Kaleb Johnson before selecting quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the event. Howard is seen as a developmental piece, and he probably won't see the field during the 2025 regular season. If the season were to start today, Mason Rudolph would remain the starting quarterback, but Pittsburgh is still looking to add to the room.
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Steelers' sixth-round draft pick quarterback Will Howard during the 2025 NFL Combine.
In an ideal world for Pittsburgh, the organization will be able to sign veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. All signs point to Rodgers eventually signing a deal with the Steelers, and that is the best outcome for the franchise as he gives the team the best chance to win now, and he can serve as a mentor for Howard.
Pittsburgh's chances of signing Rodgers sky-rocketed on Saturday after the Seattle Seahawks traded Sam Howell to the Minnesota Vikings, and team insider Mike DeFabo explained why that is in an article for The Athletic.
"If Rodgers does play next year, the Steelers and Vikings, who rebuffed Rodgers’ interest in March but did not rule out adding him at a later date, appear to be the most likely options." DeFabo wrote. "The fact that the Vikings added a backup reinforces the notion that they’re going to ride with JJ McCarthy as QB1. Now they have a more established backup behind the rising second-year QB."
At the start of free agency, the teams interested in Rodgers were Pittsburgh and the New York Giants. New York quickly gave in, and Pittsburgh seemed like the only option for Rodgers. There were some murmurs that he wanted to play for the Vikings, but Minnesota drafted JJ McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and would like to see him play.
Some believed there was a chance McCarthy could backup Rodgers in Minnesota if the team became interested, but that possibility seems to be gone after acquiring Howell.
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Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell looks on during practice with the team in 2024.
It became known that Howell could be traded during the week leading up to the draft, and he seemed like an option for Pittsburgh. That is now off the table, but him going to Minnesota could ultimately help the Steelers.
The Vikings were never truly an option for Rodgers, but now they are truly off of the table. The veteran's options are now down to signing with the Steelers, or retiring from the game of football. He could also hold on signing, and wait to see if a team gets into a rough spot due to injuries to the quarterbacks on their roster. Think Joe Flacco with the Cleveland Browns during the 2023 season.
Pittsburgh likes to go into training camp with four quarterbacks on the roster, and now three of those spots are filled after drafting Howard. Rodgers is the most likely candidate to fill that fourth spot, and if he signs he will undoubtedly be the starter.
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Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith During His Time With The Tennessee Titans.
Steelers Don't Have Many Other Options To Fill Fourth Available Quarterback Spot
If Rodgers decides to retire or the Steelers decide they do not want the veteran for some reason, there aren't many other available options. Kirk Cousins is a talked-about trade candidate, but he is far too expensive to consider trading for. Ryan Tannehill played under Arthur Smith with the Tennessee Titans, and he did not play during the 2024 season. He hasn't announced his retirement, and he could be seeking a come back to the NFL.
Aside from that, the quarterback well has gone dry. The best free agent quarterback available aside from Rodgers is Caron Wentz, which shows just how bad it would be if Rodgers and Pittsburgh don't come to an agreement on a deal.
What do you think about Howell going to Minnesota? When do you expect Rodgers to sign? Let us know in the comments below!
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