Once again, the Steelers will have a completely new quarterback room for the 2025-2026 NFL season. These waters of quarterback uncertainty for the Steelers are very new for them as they were blessed to have Ben Roethlisberger for 18 seasons. Since then, the Steelers have had 5 starting quarterbacks take the wheel as they continue to figure out who is the right guy.
In 2022 after Ben’s retirement, the Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky out of free agency to take over the starting duties, that same draft, the Steelers drafted Kenny Pickett out of Pitt to be the future option for the team. At 3rd string, the Steelers had Mason Rudolph rounding out the room. Mitch started only 4 games before being benched halfway through the week 4 contest between the Steelers and the New York Jets, only winning one game. Kenny would come in and finish the season off as the starter struggling at first, but showing flashes and hopes that he could be the next big thing in Pittsburgh towards the end of the season.
Kenny would enter the 2023-2024 season as the team’s starter and would struggle the entire year before getting injured in week 13 vs the Cardinals with an ankle injury. Trubisky would reclaim the starting role to close out the Cardinals game and play the next two vs the Patriots and the Colts in which Turbisky would struggle, lose both, and lose the starting job to Mason Rudolph. Rudolph would finish the season with the best play of his career, going 3-0 with string performances in each vs the Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, and the Baltimore Ravens saving the season and earning them a playoff spot vs the Buffalo Bills. The Steelers would once again become first-round exits and Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan knew there needed to be a change.
The following season, the Steelers would clean sweep the quarterback room by letting Mason Rudolph and Mitch Trubisky walk and trading Kenny Pickett to the Eagles in exchange for a third-round pick. The Steelers would open up free agency bright and early by announcing that quarterback Russell Wilson would be signing with the Steelers on a one-year deal, being granted the starting role early. Just a few days later, the Steelers would trade a sixth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for quarterback Justin Fields. The Steelers would round out the room by signing quarterback Kyle Allen for the third-string role. It was noted early on that Wilson would be the starter, but Justin would have opportunities to prove otherwise.
At the very start of camp, Wilson found himself injured with a calf injury that sidelined him majority of camp and preseason. The injury unfortunately lingered on and sidelined Wilson for the first six games of the NFL season. Justin Fields would take the starting duties, and make a very strong case on why he is the starter for the Steelers. Fields had 10 total touchdowns and and only 1 interception with over 1,000 yards passing in his first six games leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start. In a shocking move, Fields would be benched for Wilson before their week 7 game vs the Jets. Wilson would come out the gates firing for his first winning six of his first seven, looking like the Steelers quarterback of the future. Wilson and the Steelers would then lose their next five games, including a wild-card loss to the Ravens.
With the legal tampering period opening up this past Monday. The Steelers had plenty of questions about how they wanted their QB room to look. Do they want to keep it the same and build around either Wilson or Fields? Or clear house and start from scratch. It seems as if the Steelers will clear house once again and find fire in a new quarterback. On Monday, the Steelers’ first option, Justin Fields, signed a 2-year 40 million dollar deal with the Jets, concluding his very short tenure in Pittsburgh. The Steelers were also linked to the coveted Sam Darnold who signed a significant contract with the Seattle Seahawks. One other name that was poked around for the Steelers was Daniel Jones. Jones signed with the Colts for an opportunity to compete for a starting role vs QB Anthony Richardson.
So this truly limited the Steelers’ options to simply two guys. Resign Wilson, or sign the Super Bowl champion and 4x MVP Aaron Rodgers. It has been known that Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers have a strong relationship and Rodgers was mulling over the opportunity to play in Pittsburgh before being traded to the Jets, the Steelers of course had mutual interest. The Steelers and Aaron find each other without a quarterback and without a job. It feels like the Steelers’ current number 1 option is Aaron Rodgers. According to Gerry Dulac, an insider for the Steelers, it doesn’t seem like a Wilson and Steelers reunion will happen. Especially with recent reports of Russell Wilson having visits with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. The Steelers seem to be all in on Rodgers as their starting quarterback this season. It is known that Rodgers is mulling his options between the Giants and the Steelers. A decision could come as soon as possible, or even in a few weeks.
The Steelers will also need to fill the backup roles, as quarterback Skylar Thompson is only under contract for the 2025-2026 season. Just announced on March 13th, a reunion for the Steelers is on the horizon as they just signed backup quarterback Mason Rudolph. Mason is well-loved in Pittsburgh, putting together memorable games for the Steelers and the fans. Familiarity with the team and system could benefit even 4x MVP Aaron Rodgers, who may sign with the Steelers this offseason. Mason serves as a very solid backup option and proved that in his final four games with the Steelers, going 3-1 with the only loss being to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs.
It is also expected that the Steelers will draft a quarterback in the mid to late rounds of the draft and they have plenty of options to choose from. Most famously, Jaxson Dart from Ole Miss name has been tossed around the organization the two parties have had great meetings with each other, Dart noted during combine interviews. One other name that would be a great option for the Steelers is Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough. Shough is a flashy playmaker who fits Arthur Smith’s offense perfectly and could be a great situation for both in which Shough could sit and learn behind a potential Aaron Rodgers and take over the role when Rodgers decides to call it a career. It is known that Arthur Smith loves the way Shough plays the game, and envisions an offense with great success with him potentially starting.
The Steelers have some tough and critical decisions to make in just a short amount of time as the draft is just rolling around. The free agency quarterback class this season wasn’t particularly the strongest, and could potentially role the dice in this draft on a quarterback.
Written By: Brendan Root
X: @BlitzBrendan