Mike Tomlin not tipping his hand regarding the Steelers QB situation

When the Pittsburg Steelers 2024 season ended in a dud, the majority of the fan base assumed one of the two quarterbacks who led the offense last season would be returning. Which one, between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, was anyone’s guess, but most fans had their own particular favorite in this specific debate.

As NFL Free Agency began, Justin Fields quickly found a new home with the New York Jets, and Russell Wilson eventually found his home on the other side of MetLife Stadium with the New York Giants.

This left the Steelers feeling like the odd man out, and after signing Mason Rudolph to a modest 2-year deal the focus became who else would round the quarterback room. Most assumed it would be Aaron Rodgers, but as of this being written he remains undecided on his plans for 2025. The Steelers seem willing to let him take his time with his decision, but fans haven’t heard from anyone within the organization since Omar Khan met with media prior to the NFL Scouting Combine.

Sunday afternoon Mike Tomlin met with a group of local media at the NFL’s league meetings in Florida, and he was asked about the current state of the Steelers quarterback position.

“We’re still evaluating the acquisition of a guy at that position, whether it’s free agency and/or the draft, and so we’re doing our due diligence, communicating with some free agents, also preparing for the Draft,” Tomlin said. “(GM) Omar (Khan) and I just got off on a nice tour here last week where we were at Notre Dame, Ohio State and Texas, for example, our last three trips. I think all three of those institutions have quarterbacks that are draft-eligible, and so it’s been a good process for us.”

Regardless of what the Steelers end up doing to round out the team’s quarterback room, it will be the second straight season the Steelers will be heading into spring workouts and training with a completely new quarterback room. Tomlin isn’t sure that is a problem, yet.

“Oftentimes, I say ‘two is a pattern.’ It’s a cliche that I use in coaching, but I don’t know that I’m alarmed by that as it pertains to this discussion,” Tomlin said. “We’re just simply trying to put together the very best team that we can put together for 2025. Last year, we had a group in that room that were on one-year deals, and so the possibility of what we’re doing right now was a real thing. But that’s just one isolated scenario. If we’re having similar conversations next year at this time, it’s probably more of a discussion for us.”

At this point in the offseason most fans want to know what the future is between the Steelers and Rodgers. Will they get a deal done, and how long will the Steelers wait for the former Packers and Jets quarterback to make up his mind. Tomlin stated the meeting which happened over a week ago in Pittsburgh was a getting-to-know-you meeting between the veteran coach and veteran quarterback.

“I really wanted to spend more of our time just getting to know him better, and things that he values as a player and a man, and what he might be looking for with his next stop,” Tomlin said. “I don’t know that we’ve approached it from a deadline perspective. Certainly, as I mentioned, you’d like to have settled circumstances, but deadlines can often bring that to a head.”

This is far from the answer Steelers fans were looking for, but Tomlin certainly wasn’t about to tip his, or the organization’s, hand as it pertains to what the team will do with Rodgers and the quarterback position. As always, Tomlin talked about being competitive, and putting the best team they can put together on the field this season.

“It’s our goal and job to build as strong of a team as we can for 2025, knowing that the challenges are going to be unique to 2025 and we’re working in that spirit,” Tomlin said.

For any fans who thought there would be anything even remotely close to concrete coming from Tomlin at this event, you must not be paying close attention. Tomlin will remain mum on the team’s situation and plans even after the NFL Draft concludes at the end of April. In other words, if you get any news, it will be when the team or Rodgers makes a decision, not in an interview setting with Tomlin, Khan or Art Rooney II. It just isn’t how they operate.

With that in mind, be sure to stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the rest of free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.