The Pittsburgh Steelers don't necessarily shape up as a great team in 2026 if they bring Aaron Rodgers back and get him to put off retirement for another year.
But it may be their best choice, too, because they're in a brutal spot.
In a new article on Monday, ESPN's AFC North writers analyzed the quarterback situations for each team in the division. Brooke Pryor rated it a 1-out-of-10 for Pittsburgh and asked if she could use a 0. It's that bad.
"The Steelers have one of the most tenuous quarterback situations in the league entering 2026," Pryor wrote. "Not only is Aaron Rodgers' one-year contract set to expire, but it also seems increasingly likely that he won't return with Tomlin's departure. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday that the Steelers are open to Rodgers returning, but it's unlikely to happen because of Tomlin's resignation."
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If Rodgers leaves, retirement or otherwise, it's brutal.
"That leaves the Steelers with three quarterbacks under contract: Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard," Pryor writes. "The former Ohio State national champion showed some promise during his rookie training camp, but it still seems unlikely he's the next franchise signal-caller. The Steelers have the No. 21 pick in the upcoming draft, but that quarterback class appears to be lackluster, as does the free agency class and potential trade market. Thus, the Steelers' best option might be to go with another bridge quarterback until they can get to a more promising 2027 quarterback draft class."
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The Steelers will likely have to wade into the free agent pool to some extent.
Do they shell out risky big money to Malik Willis?
Do they get a veteran like Marcus Mariota to fill in for a whole season?
Do they pursue a trade or hand the reins to someone totally unproven like Howard?
None of the options seem that great. The Steelers are kind of stuck. They would've been in this spot regardless of Rodgers' choice to join Pittsburgh for 2025. But now they've reached the point of having no good options, and maybe all they can do is hope Rodgers chooses to stick around.
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