The Pittsburgh Steelers and Indianapolis Colts might both be back in the quarterback market in 2026.
The Steelers have Aaron Rodgers for now, but there's most certainly a chance the 42-year-old quarterback will retire after this season.
Indianapolis looked to have its quarterback spot locked up for the long haul after the resurgent season from Daniel Jones, but his torn Achilles complicates things.
If Pittsburgh and Indianapolis do find themselves in need at the most important position in the NFL, they might give the San Francisco 49ers a call.
In his weekly buzz article with Jeremy Fowler, ESPN's Dan Graziano suggested both the Colts and Steelers as possible trade suitors for quarterback Mac Jones.
Mac Jones is under contract with the 49ers for next year at $2.8 million, but the way he played in relief of Brock Purdy this season has people wondering what it would take to trade for him (and presumably pay him more) to come in and compete for a starting role. There are plenty of teams with unsettled 2026 quarterback situations (Colts? Steelers?) Which could look to a 27-year-old former first-round pick who has been through the Kyle Shanahan career rehab program as part of their potential solution.
Jones signed a two-year, $8.4 million deal with the 49ers during the offseason to serve as Brock Purdy's backup.
That trade has paid serious dividends, as Jones has played well in his eight starts in place of an injured Purdy and is a big reason the 49ers are nearly playoff-bound.
Jones' showing has helped revive his career and now the Niners are looking at a situation in which they could flip him for a decent return, and quite possibly a second- or third-round pick.
If Rodgers doesn't come back, the Steelers will have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard under contract, and they could also draft a quarterback.
The Steelers pulling the trigger on a trade for Jones will depend on several factors.
If Pittsburgh decides to hit the reset button, something that could happen if head coach Mike Tomlin doesn't return, a trade for Jones becomes less likely and it's instead more likely the Steelers will roll with Rudolph and Howard while also adding a quarterback in the draft, setting up a three-man competition.
If Tomlin returns and the Steelers go for it again in 2026, a trade for Jones becomes more likely, but only if Pittsburgh views Jones as a sizeable upgrade over Rudolph and the team isn't sold on Howard being worthy of even getting a chance.
A trade to the Colts feels more likely.
We still believe the Colts are going to keep Daniel Jones for at least one season, but if he isn't ready for the start of the season because of his injury, Indy is going to need someone to fill the void temporarily.
Indy will have Anthony Richardson and Riley Leonard under contract, but neither player has shown they can keep this team afloat and that's not good enough for a Colts team that will look to compete in 2026.
On the outside chance that Daniel Jones doesn't return, a trade for Mac becomes far more likely to happen.
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