The Pittsburgh Steelers have been stuck in quarterback purgatory ever since Ben Roethlisberger retired following the 2021 season. The franchise has attempted a few different ways of finding its next long-term quarterback, and all have failed. Kenny Pickett was a bust, Justin Fields wanted too much money, Russell Wilson flamed out, and a few quarterbacks passed on coming to Pittsburgh at all. Aaron Rodgers is the first quarterback since Roethlisberger to start a Week 1 game for the Steelers in back-to-back seasons, but the organization is still going to be thinking about finding its next franchise quarterback.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Rodgers has already announced that he intends to retire following the 2026 season, and the Steelers have a couple of young guys on the roster that could compete to start in 2027. Will Howard and Drew Allar have some fans excited, but the reality of the situation is that one was a sixth-round pick while the other was a third-round selection. The odds of either turning into a Pro Bowl-caliber franchise quarterback are low, and the Steelers could still look to draft another quarterback.
The 2027 quarterback class is expected to be loaded with talent, and many fans have thought for years that that would be the time to grab a quarterback in the first round. Former NFL General Manager Doug Whaley joined 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday morning, and he shared that he thinks the 2028 class is actually where the talent will be.
"To me, everyone is talking about this year, but I've told you guys since last year, the 2028 draft class is going to be hellacious," Whaley said. "That's the one that I think is going to be where you have a lot of quarterbacks that will be playing for three years, tons and tons of starts behind them. If you look at the draft, that pendulum is starting to swing away from those highly talented guys that only started for one year. It's now guys that have been three- or four-year starters."
The 2027 quarterback class has gotten a ton of hype due to names like Arch Manning, Julian Sayin, Dante Moore, and LaNorris Sellars. Both Moore and Sellars decided to return to school, which makes the 2027 class even richer than many initially thought.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning lines up for a snap during the game against UTSA in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Whaley noted that these quarterbacks in 2027 are going to continue to get a ton of hype, but that can also shift fast. Guys get hurt, their play can decline throughout the year, and now more and more athletes are deciding to return to school because they can make more money in NIL. That has significantly shifted the talent pool in draft classes, and it can happen again.
In 2028, some of the top names to take note of include Drew Mestemaker out of Oklahoma State as well as Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele out of California. More notable names will burst onto the scene over the next two seasons, but Whaley sees that class being the spot for a team like the Steelers to land a potential franchise quarterback.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Drew Allar makes a throw in rookie minicamp with new head coach Mike McCarthy looking on.
Steelers Going After A Quarterback In 2028 Might Make The Most Sense
Pittsburgh waiting to find a quarterback might not be a bad idea. This would allow for both Howard and Allar to get on the field at times during the 2027 season, and maybe the Steelers will find their future in one of those players. It is unlikely, but it could be worth a shot. If things don't work out and neither player shows any sort of promise, the Steelers can try to land a quarterback in 2028, hopefully with a high draft pick.
What do you think of this take from Whaley? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!
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