The Pittsburgh Steelers currently face a complex quarterback situation, as they still have a vacancy at the starting position. It’s widely known that the team is considered the frontrunner to land veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For many Steelers fans, the wait has felt endless, especially with reports indicating that the organization has already extended an offer to Rodgers, but has yet to receive an official response.
The ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Steelers' quarterback position, with Rodgers specifically, has sparked widespread discussion, leading many to question the team's leadership. In particular, Steelers President and Owner Art Rooney II has found himself at the center of growing questions and concerns about the direction of the team.
One notable voice adding to the conversation is NFL Analyst Gregg Rosenthal, who recently appeared on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast. During the segment, Rosenthal openly shared his thoughts and concerns about how the situation is being handled, further fueling the debate about the Steelers' offseason strategy.
"If for some reason he [Rodgers] chooses not to go there, that's also great because the Steelers have mismanaged this situation worse than any NFL team could," Rosenthal said.
There appears to be a general consensus that Rodgers will eventually sign with the Steelers. However, with no official decision made and no clear deadline in sight, there’s still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the situation. Throughout his career, Rodgers has faced criticism for his off-field antics, and while much of it remains speculative, there have been ongoing rumors questioning his reputation as a teammate. This prolonged decision-making process is only adding fuel to those rumors and placing additional scrutiny on the Steelers organization as they wait for an answer.
Rosenthal pointed out that Rooney II has seemingly been the only voice publicly addressing the Rodgers situation. Since the rumors about Rodgers potentially joining the team began, the Steelers’ front office has maintained a notably calm front, showing no signs of urgency. This has led many fans and analysts to believe that the organization feels confident in ultimately landing Rodgers. Rosenthal appears to share this thought, implying that the Steelers’ quiet confidence may be a strong indication that they expect a positive outcome.
"He's the only one willing to talk about this at any point because he's ownership and he can say whatever he wants, and he's been thinking Aaron Rodgers is going there," Rosenthal shared.
Overall, this ongoing uncertainty has not reflected well on the Steelers, adding extra pressure on both Rodgers and the organization heading into the upcoming season. Since 2020, the Steelers have managed to reach the playoffs four times (including the 2020 postseason), yet they’ve been unable to get past the first round in any of those appearances. In fact, the team hasn’t secured a playoff victory since the 2016 season, almost a full decade ago, emphasizing the need for a win.
Whether or not Rodgers ultimately signs with the Steelers, it’s clear he wouldn’t be viewed as the long-term solution at quarterback. At 41 years old, Rodgers is currently the oldest active player in the NFL, a fact that naturally raises concerns among fans about his durability. Still, his extensive experience and impressive career accomplishments make him an appealing short-term option. Reports indicate that the Steelers have offered Rodgers a one-year deal, signaling their intent to rely on his leadership in the immediate future while planning to look toward the NFL Draft to find their next true franchise quarterback.
Steelers' Potential Franchise Quarterback Will Be Found Through The NFL Draft
With the 2025 NFL Draft now in the books, many expected the Steelers to focus on selecting a quarterback early on. While the team did add a quarterback, they waited until the sixth round to select Will Howard from Ohio State University, fresh off a National Championship win. Given his late-round status, Howard’s future role with the Steelers remains uncertain, but some analysts and fans believe he could turn out to be one of the draft’s hidden gems.
The 2025 NFL Draft class was widely viewed as weaker at the quarterback position compared to other recent years, which adds an interesting layer to the Steelers’ strategy. With the 2026 NFL Draft set to be held in Pittsburgh, the team has already begun accumulating draft capital. Early projections suggest that next year’s quarterback class will be significantly stronger, opening the door to exciting possibilities for the Steelers as they plan for their long-term future at the position.
