The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in a constant state of quarterback purgatory ever since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger following the 2021 season. The franchise has rolled out a different starter in Week 1 in each of the last four seasons, which has been a completely embarrassing stretch of time for the organization, even though they may have snuck into the postseason a few times. The Steelers have been stagnant as a franchise and seem to continue to make the wrong decisions, but hopefully that will change during the 2026 offseason. A lot of important decisions are still being made, especially on offense.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan looks on as the team sets up in front of fans to workout at the annual Friday Night Lights training camp practice in Latrobe, PA.
The Steelers need to figure out the quarterback situation for the 2026 season, and the group also needs to add some serious talent at wide receiver. New head coach Mike McCarthy has an offensive approach to football, so that will be the priority. Aaron Rodgers seems to be the front-runner to be the starter in 2026 again, although the four-time league MVP is still making his mind up when it comes to potentially retiring. Outside of Rodgers, both Will Howard and Mason Rudolph are under contract for the 2026 season, and the Steelers could grab a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic recently predicted the quarterback situations for every team in the NFL, and he had the Steelers' quarterback room being headlined by Rodgers and Garrett Nussmeier.
"Nobody ever really knows what Rodgers is going to do, but it feels like a safe bet that he returns for one more year and the chance to reunite with old friend Mike McCarthy," Rosenblatt wrote. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier would be an interesting target in the second round, where the Steelers pick 53rd. He is similar in size to Rodgers and The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote that he is a 'Strong-armed passer who can efficiently deliver from various arm slots without sacrificing velocity. He can make any throw he wants and isn’t shy about testing quickly expiring windows.'"
There has been a lot of hype building around Howard, and McCarthy has spoken outwardly about his excitement for the young quarterback. However, he can't be relied upon to eventually turn into a starter. Pittsburgh needs to bring in young competition, and Nussmeier certainly qualifies as that.
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Former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier helps on the sideline after being benched during the 2025 season.
Nussmeier had a decent career at LSU, but his time there definitely did not end the way that he wanted it to. He played through an injury in 2025, and was eventually benched due to medical reasons. He seems to be fine now as he participated in the Senior Bowl and the NFL's Scouting Combine. He was viewed as a potential first-round pick going into the 2025 season, but his poor play and eventual benching has moved him down draft boards. The potential is certainly there, but using a second-round pick on the quarterback would definitely be a head-scratcher.
Most Pittsburgh fans probably would not mind Nussmeier coming to the Steelers, but the organization has other needs to address in the second round before going with a quarterback. The Steelers are also projected to have three third-round selections, and one of those can be used on the quarterback if needed. It is not guaranteed that he is off the board by the end of Day 2, and reaching for a quarterback is the last thing this organization needs.
Steelers' Will Howard Needs His Chance
Pittsburgh needs to find a way to give Howard a chance to show what he can do. He has the stature and all of the physical tools of a starter in the NFL, and after another year behind Rodgers, he could be ready to step under center.
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Steelers' Will Howard watches as veteran Aaron Rodgers gets ready to throw the football during a drill in the 2025 season.
Even if Rodgers does not return in 2026, Howard should still be given the opportunity to start. If he is good, that is great. It means Pittsburgh may have found its franchise quarterback. If he's underwhelming, that's great too. He can be ruled out as a future starter while giving the Steelers better draft positioning. It is a win-win.
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