The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to look a lot different in 2026.
For starters, there will be a new head coach leading the team for the first time since 2007. Mike Tomlin stepped down after another disappointing end, but head coach won't be the only change.
Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to be a free agent. The future Hall of Famer reportedly went to Pittsburgh in the first place due to Tomlin, so with the coach being gone, Rodgers could be as well.
As of now, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard is the only quarterback on the roster for 2026. That obviously won't be the case for lone, and one writer believes the team could look to a former first-round pick as an option.
Josh Weil of PFSN recently identified the Steelers as a logical landing spot for Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson.
Richardson was drafted in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but his career hasn't panned out just yet. The quarterback was injured for much of his rookie season, was inconsistent in 2024, and got beat out by Daniel Jones in 2025.
Regarding Richardson and the Steelers, Weil offered the following:
I would be surprised if we saw Aaron Rodgers suit up in the NFL again after his performance in the Wild Card game vs. Houston. This doesn’t tarnish his career at all, but the Steelers would be foolish to mortgage their future for another year of an aging legend. Bringing in a player as talented as Richardson, and still staying in the first round, would be incredible for Pittsburgh to remain a fringe playoff team, if not better.
As far as compensation goes, Weil suggested the trade could look like this:
- Proposed Trade: Two 2026 third-round picks (#76 and #99 overall) for QB Anthony Richardson and a 2026 seventh-round pick (#230 overall)
Giving up a couple of mid-round picks for a former first-round talent doesn't sound like a bad idea. It will likely depend on whoever becomes the next head coach, however.
So far in the NFL, Richardson has played in 17 games and has thrown for 2,400 yards with 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Pittsburgh could be a good landing spot, considering the solid offensive line, run game, and elite receiver D.K. Metcalf.
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