As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepared for kickoff against the Baltimore Ravens in the final game of the 2025 NFL regular season, one Steelers insider made a compelling statement that could shape the franchise’s short-term future. With a trip to the playoffs on the line, the focus wasn’t just on winning the AFC North, it was also on what comes next at quarterback once the season ends.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers lets go of the football as he makes a pass during the team's Week 9 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts during the 2025 NFL season.
The Steelers signed Aaron Rodgers to a one-year contract in June. The initial thought surrounding the Rodgers deal was that 2025 would be his final season in the NFL, and one Steelers insider believes that is still very much the case. Rodgers arrived in Pittsburgh with lofty expectations, both from the organization and the fanbase, as the team looked to finally end a lengthy stretch of postseason frustration.
Now, with the regular season coming to a close, that same Steelers insider is doubling down on that belief, making it clear that Rodgers’ time in Pittsburgh is expected to end once this season concludes. During the Steelers pre-game show on 102.5 WDVE, team insider Gerry Dulac made a revealing comment about Rodgers’ future in Pittsburgh.
"I will tell you that there will be no referendum if the Steelers lose," Dulac said. "The Steelers aren't gonna bring Aaron Rodgers back. They brought him in because they wanted to get a quarterback that can not only get him into the postseason, but maybe win a playoff game after this eight-year drought. So that won't be much of a discussion at all. Now, if they win, that's another story."
Pittsburgh has spent years cycling through quarterbacks, hoping to find stability after Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. Rodgers, despite being 42 years old, represented a proven veteran with championship pedigree and the ability to command a locker room filled with both young talent and established stars.
Karl Roster / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws the ball during Pittsburgh's 13-6 loss against the Cleveland Browns.
The context of the Sunday night's matchup only amplifies that reality. Facing the Ravens in Week 18 with the division title on the line is about as high-stakes as it gets. Baltimore has been Pittsburgh’s biggest rival for decades, and the outcome of the game will define how the 2025 season is remembered. A loss wouldn’t just sting in terms of the playoff picture, it could effectively close the book on the Rodgers era before it even has time to breathe.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws downfield during Pittsburgh's 27-22 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL Regular Season.
Steelers Could Make A Splash For Franchise QB At NFL Draft In Pittsburgh
Even if the Steelers are coping with a loss on Monday morning, they won't be in the ideal spot to draft their next franchise quarterback in April's NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Sitting in the middle of the first round once again, Pittsburgh would likely be out of range for the elite quarterback prospects expected to come off the board early.
With that being the case, if the Steelers want to grab one of the top quarterback prospects, they'll have to trade up to do so. That would require significant draft capital and a clear commitment to reshaping the roster around a young signal-caller.
Such a move wouldn’t come without risk, especially for a team that has relied heavily on building through the draft. Trading up could force the Steelers to part with future first-round picks or key assets, limiting their flexibility in addressing other roster needs and putting even more pressure on the quarterback they select to succeed quickly.
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