The Pittsburgh Steelers QB Search: What we know now
Pittsburgh Steelers fans have been waiting with baited breath to see who the next quarterback will be for the black-and-gold.
Will it be Justin Fields? No, not after Fields chose the New York Jets contract offer on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period.
Will it be Sam Darnold? No, not after Darnold chose the Seattle Seahawks as his next team.
How about Daniel Jones? No, Jones chose a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts for his 2025 team.
What about a trade for a player like Geno Smith? No, the Las Vegas Raiders traded for Smith’s talents for the next several years.
In other words, the Steelers options have now been relegated to players who are at the end of their careers, aren’t considered to have much of a career, or a shot in the dark with the 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class. For the Steelers, right now most are assuming it is between Russell Wilson or Aaron Rodgers.
So, what do we know now?
After receiving a call from our source inside the Steelers organization, here is what we know as it pertains to the Steelers quarterback situation.
- The Steelers did want Fields as their guy in 2025, but the team wasn’t matching the contract offer by the Jets. Take that for what it’s worth.
- With Fields out of the mix, the Steelers are absolutely willing to sign Aaron Rodgers, but it has to work for the Steelers organization. The big concern is the contract, which would likely be more than a one-year deal, would potentially leave the team hanging out to dry if he decides to call it a career after 2025.
- The team wants a commitment from Rodgers that if the Steelers sign him to a contract, he is all-in and willing to dedicate himself to the life of the contract.
- The two sides are talking, but the Jets haven’t released Rodgers yet so he can’t be signed until that happens. Reports among the NFL community expect that release to happen Wednesday when the new league year officially starts.
- Plenty of work remains for this deal to get done, but that seems to be the focus right now.
At this juncture the Steelers focus is on Rodgers. If he chooses to go elsewhere, likely to the New York Giants, the team would have to pivot and look at someone like Wilson or a Mason Rudolph to try and be the bridge quarterback for the 2025 season.
These situations are fluid, and can change quickly, so stay tuned to SCN for the latest news and notes surrounding the Steelers as they prepare for the second wave of free agency, and the 2025 NFL Draft.
Can’t wait for the notification on my phone to say “BREAKING NEWS: Steelers sign QB Jameis Winston” lol
I’d roll with that. Anyone but Rodgers.
The whole Rodgers situation scares me, especially the contract. The figure I’ve seen thrown around the most bit is 2yr/$90 million, which is way too much for a 41-year-old bridge QB.
I hope to the gods that it isn’t that high. (insert peyote joke here)
Rodgers the player is still better than what we have seen in Pittsburgh for a few years.
Rodgers off the field has been getting harder to like.
I’m not sure how I would feel about this type of signing.
I can’t speak for you or others… But I’d probably walk away for the time he was on the team. I’d hang around here, and while I don’t comment much, it’s a nice place to be. But I wouldn’t watch or listen to the games, and I certainly won’t buy any merch, until he is gone. I have that much dislike for Arron Rodgers the person. The only thing Rodgers excels at these days is throwing teammates and coaches under the bus. So, if you are in the “Fire Tomlin” crowd, there might be some “good” in that signing.
Same. I’d just take a break rather than watch the diva destroy the organization.
Cooome ooon!!! There has to be someone other than this selfish over the hill can’t play anymore assclown.
Smith will have to have his meetings on the Pat McAfee show, because Rodgers seems to want to spend all his time there.
Wilson? Minshew? Rudolph? Winston? Big Ben out of retirement? Seriously WTF?!?!
Sign Russ and trade for Milton. I want to see Milton start, though that probably wouldn’t happen. Anyone but Rodgers. It’ll be difficult to root for him
And they really couldn’t match the jets contract?
If Rogers really wants $45 million for 2 years then the Steelers should tell him to get bent. They aren’t winning a Super Bowl with Rogers, or any other QB still out there, this year or next so it makes no sense to spend that type of cash on one. Don’t get me wrong, Rogers is still good but he isn’t $45 million good. Use the money elsewhere for a more long term benefit that will still be around when the Steelers have a chance at success.
Rather than paying Rogers $90 million, I would rather them roll the dice in the draft. Assuming he drops a little, trade up for Shadeur Sanders. Take Jaxson Dart in round 1 if need be. Sign a lower level vet like Gardner Minshew or Derek Carr or someone to be a stop gap for a year if need be.
$45 million, literally, makes Aaron Rogers around the 5th highest paid QB in the league from a cap perspective, actual contract structure not withstanding. It makes no sense.
There’s a lot of discussion out there about whether Rogers is still good, but honestly, that’s not what bothers me. Rogers is too much of a diva. Too many games where you can tell he just didn’t care. He’s the most un-“Steelers QB” out there. Maybe he’d be happy to come here, and he’d care and play really well, but he’s shown that when he doesn’t get his way, or things aren’t going well, he loses interest, doesn’t care, and doesn’t cooperate with those around him.
Why all the hate for Rodgers, he had 28 TD’s last year, which is what Russ had in 2023… oh wait yea, we all know how 2024 turned out for our team and Russ.
So what’s the answer people? You don’t Russ or Rodgers, I gave you Winston and Brissett but that has been shot down, I said take a chance on a Howard or Shough or McCord and you all have shot that down so I’m wondering what QB do you want? I don’t want anyone mentioning the 26 Class cause I will literally go off on anyone who even does it.
The 26 class.
Not for nothing but I posted something that I think is feasible just an hour before you asked the question. You might not like my thoughts but that’s neither here nor there.
Not for nothing but most of your posts seem biting and combative which is odd. Your writing style is effective and your reasoning is fine even if many don’t agree with it. This is just my opinion but if you presented yourself less aggressively your posts would probably be more well-received. “I will literally go off” hopefully isn’t something that you would tell to someone in a bar. That same demeanor should apply here but that’s just my opinion on it.
I say that cause the talk of the 26 draft infuriates me. So many Steeler Fans are so sure no wait sure isn’t the right word, it’s more of Without a Shadow of a Doubt that the 26 class is better and I keep asking why but the only response I get “Well it’s got more guys to chose from”. That is not an answer it’s just that fans can’t come up with much else. I come across so many Steelers Fans comments about the 26 class that I just want that class to fail this upcoming season.
Yes I know that’s a terrible thing to say but at some point either people come up with proof that the 26 class is better or it’s all just hype. I asked a simple question but what I got back was “well it should be Fields” or “Wait until 26” to me that’s the best folks can do. I gave you names and yes neither guy is really that good but what else do you want the team to do?
I get it Jon that my attitude can rub some the wrong way but that happens when Fans type out answers or responses if you will that make you ask yourself: Why?
What I wanted was for them to pull the trigger on Fields. Unfortunately, the reality is that there just isn’t a lot of prospects out there that have a high probability of long-term success. If you’re asking people to give you a consensus preferred choice and all the options are either: a) overpaid over-the-hill vets, or b) unproven, under achieving young QBs already looking for their 3rd or 4th team, c) taking a flyer on a mid to late round QB in the draft, or d) another teams young backup that wasn’t able to win the starting job at their current team, then you’re not going to get one. Not saying one of those players wouldn’t pan out. But they are all shots in the dark and/or have no long-term potential. There’s just not a lot to love out there.
Look, have you seen what Rodgers has been spewing and doing for the past several years? He threw everyone under the bus last year with the Jets, and this was after all that nonsense when he blew out his Achilles… And lets not gloss over that he is just 2 years younger than I am, and that’s 6 years older than Russel who many screw is completely cooked. So people are complaining about signing a 42-year-old above-average QB (in his prime, mind you) whose skills are more likely to fall off a cliff, is going to get steamrolled, and then for our viewing pleasure throw everyone from teammates to coaches under the bus. Also, I’d rather have Russ back, I know the last 5 games were a… I can’t use those words here… But people forget that Fields wasn’t anything to write home about either. The entire offense sucked (
Now, let’s talk about Howard, Shough, and McCord. Being frank with you up front, I am far from an expert on these young men, so take this with a grain of salt. I believe that all three are projected to be above-average backups or low to mid-level starters in the NFL with some development. I don’t have a major problem with any of them, provided the team doesn’t over-reach for them (3rd/4th round). Now, as for which of the three, I kind of like Shough’s size, 6’5 230(ish) pounds, but I have concerns about age and injury history. But you never know, and if you don’t shoot your shot, you’ll always miss. I think the worst case is we find ourselves in the same boat next year. They have no answers at QB and might be forced into taking someone from the class of 26 (~cough~ Manning ~cough~). Just saying…
Yeah just sayin huh? So you FarmerJohn are like a lot of Steeler Fans whose comments I read. Tell me something why Manning or for that matter any QB in the 26 draft? Am I really supposed to believe that those guys don’t have some of the same flaws that people point to in this year’s draft or is it simply a case of “Nah we’ll just look the other way”? I mean I can point to a few times where a couple of the QBs in the 26 draft had a few bad games.
If they sign Rodgers, I’m out until he’s gone. CANNOT STAND HIM. Plus, he’s gonna suck.
I reckon I’m with what seems like the majority on this board, I’ll briefly step away from my fandom (since Joe Green arrived!) if/while Rodgers is here. I enjoy watching pro football and dearly love this team, but I have zero respect for the individual. Morality and character counts. Heck, I believe he has his only SB ring courtesy of our All Pro C Pouncey missing that game. I think my Longhorns with a Manning at the helm will keep me busy this fall. I know, I know…I’ll be right back and screaming at the tube for a possible playoff run, but I’ll be paying considerably less attention week to week.
Yeah, if they sign Rodgers, I think you’re safe from getting sucked back in by a playoff run.
We need a sarcasm font… So, me being sarcastic follows (because I’m with you)…
:SARCASM: But think of the entertainment value of the line not blocking properly, receivers dropping passes, and the offense generally stinking up the joint, before the defense ultimately shits the bed, and here is Mr. Aaron Rodgers throwing everyone and everything he can get his hands on under the bus! Imagine all those sub-20-point games where Rodgers is giving an interview, and he’s like… “Well if the line wasn’t a turnstile…” or “If Pickens could catch anything at all…” and the classic, “Coach T and I talked about living in our fears, I guess I misunderstood him.” Hot enough for Hardknocks, cold enough to tune out.
This was plan A all along. The Steelers think Rogers can win some playoff games.
Everywhere I go I read people saying that if the Steelers sign Rodgers they are not watching the team or rooting for them til he’s gone. What a bunch of horse chit!
If he plays well, which I expect and the team starts out 2 and 1 or 3 and 1, you all will be talking about what a smart move it was to sign him, and how the sacrosanct, glorified Steelers culture has made him into a better man.
Lets face it. He’s an as&hole narcissist that runs his mouth too much.. I don’t care. Football isn’t about having a team full of eagle scout choir boys. They don’t have to all be guys you wouldn’t mind if your sister married.
I guarantee that 95% of you guys who say you won’t be watching (5% of people are really weird) will be glued to the tv if they make it to the playoffs. If they would somehow, someway win the big one with him at QB, I think that all you guys who won’t be watching will still manage to be quite frigging happy.
I feel like the Steelers can’t go into a season where they are bringing back a win now core and keeping the same HC, OC and DC. In my opinion its time you swing a different kind of bat this year and take the shot with Rodgers.
To me his arm is still 85% there and has the command of the offence.
It better not be Kaaron