The Pittsburgh Steelers have had one of their most active free agency periods ever, adding several starting-caliber players. So far, they've acquired Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean, and Jaquan Brisker to name a few. All are expected to be major contributors in 2026, but with all of these moves, the same question looms: who will be the starting quarterback? As it currently stands, Aaron Rodgers is expected to return for his age-43 season, but nothing is set in stone just yet. Rodgers could still decide he doesn't want to play however, leaving the team without a reliable starting quarterback. The team had some backup options, but now things have changed.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) prepares to unleash a pass as the team works out in front of a packed house during the annual Friday Night Lights practice at 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
One of the team's backup options was reportedly Kirk Cousins, who just recently signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Cousins tore his Achilles tendon in 2023, then signed a massive deal with the Atlanta Falcons the following offseason. Cousins was the Falcons' starter in 2024 before being benched for first-round pick Michael Penix Jr. He would not see action again until midway through the 2025 season. The new Raider played well in his eight starts, winning five of them, throwing 10 touchdowns to five interceptions. He signed a four-year contract with the Raiders that is structured as a one-year deal.
Friday, ESPN's Brooke Pryor spoke on NFL Live about the Steelers' updated contingency plan at quarterback. She mentions that Cousins was an option, but now that he's gone, it's up to Will Howard or a rookie in the upcoming NFL Draft class.
"I think one of their contingency plans in Kirk Cousins, obviously now off the board because he is in Vegas, they do have Will Howard," Pryor explained. "And Mike McCarthy has been so incredibly high on what he likes out of the sixth-round pick. [McCarthy] also gave us some insight into quarterback traits that he likes: 10 inch hands, cold weather quarterbacks, playoff winners, long arms, all of these things that a couple guys in this draft have. Maybe a Carson Beck, he has 10 inch hands, Drew Allar, also big hands, long arms, Garrett Nussmeier another option. Doesn't have quite the hand size, but it's close enough."
The franchise has 12 draft picks in the upcoming draft, and General Manager Omar Khan has hinted that they may not use all 12. It's likely the team takes another flyer on a late-round quarterback, especially if Rodgers doesn't return.
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Steelers General Manager Omar Khan picks up the phone and has a conversation in the team's war room during the 2023 NFL Draft weekend as he speaks with someone on the other line.
The market for quarterbacks is very unflattering currently, unless the Steelers decide to trade for a Mac Jones, or someone of that caliber. The starting job for the Steelers right now will be between Mason Rudolph, Howard, and a possible late-round rookie.
Steelers Would Be Right To Take Late-Round Quarterback Again
While this class of quarterbacks is very disappointing considering the expectations around it, there are certainly some late-round guys that are intriguing. Drew Allar, for example, has a big arm and a perfect build for a professional quarterback. He has been reported to have accuracy issues and struggles to read defenses, but under McCarthy, he may be able to turn the corner. There's also Garrett Nussmeier. The LSU Tigers standout played in nine games in 2025 and threw just 12 touchdowns to five interceptions.
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Former LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier during an away game at Alabama.
If the franchise decided to take Carson Beck, it would be a big risk, even for a late-round pick. Beck had UCL surgery after an injury in the 2024 SEC Championship game. In 2025, he transferred to Miami, where he led them to a National Championship appearance. Beck wasn't spectacular in the playoffs, but was good enough to get the team to the big game where they fell short to the undefeated Indiana Hoosiers. Beck's arm was noticeably weaker in 2025, so the jury is still out on him.
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