The Pittsburgh Steelers are among the handful of teams that aren’t sure who their starting quarterback will be in Week 1. They might be the only team without that starter on their roster.
The Steelers have long been favorites for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but the veteran’s indecision has kept the team in limbo. At risk of starting Mason Rudolph or sixth-round rookie Will Howard, fans are understandably anxious about Rodgers’ hesitancy.
Fair or not, the pursuit of Rodgers has become the story of Pittsburgh’s offseason. Not everybody, though, is concerned.
Steelers edge rusher Alex Highsmith made a bold statement about Rodgers on “The Insiders” as his free agency lingers.
"I think we just try to put our best foot forward every day," edge rusher Alex Highsmith said. "Like with who's in the building right now. I know Mason [Rudolph] being there, he's done a great job. The guys are rallying around him and, like I said, he's been with us before and guys know him, Pittsburgh fans know him. The way that he helped us finish in 2023 was awesome.
"No matter who's back there for us, whether it's him or if Aaron Rodgers is gonna come, I'm just excited. Whoever's back there, we're gonna have their backs and we're gonna rally behind them. Just excited for whoever it's gonna be."
Perhaps the biggest reason why the Pittsburgh faithful don’t need to hold their breath on Rodgers is the lack of upside that comes with it. Rodgers is certainly more talented than Rudolph, and the Steelers are far more likely to end their playoff win drought with the former under center.
However, neither one is expected to take Pittsburgh deep into the playoffs, and the team’s actions suggest it isn’t gearing up for a late-January run. Trading receiver George Pickens is a move for the 2026 NFL Draft and the quarterbacks that might be available.
Of course, that hasn’t stopped the rampant speculation.
"I get asked a lot by my peers and some friends who are fans and stuff like that," Highsmith said when asked how often he was asked about Rodgers and if it was a distraction. "I just feel like in the locker room, we're in there working and I think that's just really what it's about at this point. I know that if he does sign, we're definitely going to be really excited to have him. We know who he is. He's a Hall of Fame quarterback. He's one of the best to ever do it.”
One would assume that the longer Rodgers waits, the less likely he is to put pen to paper. Owner Art Rooney II’s recent comments suggest otherwise. In the meantime, Highsmith remains cautiously optimistic.
"I wouldn't say it's a distraction at all, but we all know what type of quarterback he is and what he brings to the table."
