With the start of the regular season just around the corner, the Pittsburgh Steelers will enter the 2025 NFL campaign with a four-time MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback at their disposal. Pittsburgh signed free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal worth up to just under $20 million earlier in the offseason, as Rodgers will enter what is more than likely his final season of professional football. The veteran spent the last two seasons with the New York Jets, and his time there was a failed experiment for all involved.
The Steelers find themselves with multiple talented quarterbacks entering the season, as Pittsburgh will have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson serving as the backup and third string option respectively to start the year. The Steelers have rookie quarterback Will Howard on the roster as well, but he's recovering from his recent hand injury sustained during practice recently. He is expected to compete with Thompson for the third string role once healthy again.
I personally spoke to Thompson last week, as the former Miami Dolphins quarterback was able to give me an inside look as to what his experience has been like playing in the same quarterback room as Rodgers.
"It's been awesome," Thompson explained. "He's [Aaron Rodgers] a great dude, he's really helped the whole room by spreading his knowledge and how he processes things, all his experiences. It's been awesome to learn from."
Thompson then went on to speak about his personal relationship with Rodgers, as the young quarterback admires how Rodgers carries himself.
"Also just getting to know him as a person has been really good for the room," said Thompson. "He's a great leader and he holds people accountable. It's been really cool to learn from him and how he carries himself."
Thompson, a seventh-round pick in 2022, is a young quarterback who thrived in the Steelers' first preseason game of 2025 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night. The promising quarterback threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns while completing 20 of his 28 attempts. Thompson's performance is an extremely exciting sign for Steelers fans, as he is still only 28 years old and may still have his best football in front of him.
Both Rodgers and Rudolph are solidified as the top two quarterbacks on the depth chart, but many feel as if Thompson has a legitimate chance to beat out Howard for the third string role now. Thompson may emerge as an excellent trade chip for Pittsburgh as well, as multiple teams around the league may be interested in the former Dolphin should he continue to shine throughout the preseason. Fans are encouraged to keep a close eye on Thompson throughout the remainder of the offseason, as the promising quarterback will look to fight his way towards the Steelers' third string role.
Steelers' Quarterbacks Will Need To Continue To Develop Relationship With Playmakers Too
With Rodgers set to start Week 1 and Thompson continuing to fight his way towards a roster spot, many feel as if the Steelers will have one of the more underrated offensive units in all of football to begin the season. Both DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin III are expected to thrive as Rodgers' projected top wideouts, and Pittsburgh finds themselves with a promising mix of other younger players and veterans on both sides of the ball as well.
Second-year receiver Roman Wilson and new tight end acquisition Jonnu Smith will also be in the mix on offense, along with Pat Freiermuth. Fans should continue to keep a close eye on the entire offensive unit throughout the remainder of the preseason, as Rodgers will look to shine in what is more than likely his final season in the NFL.
