Steelers predicted to trade for 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback as Aaron Rodgers replacement

Contributor
Mike Moraitis
Steelers predicted to trade for 2-time Pro Bowl quarterback as Aaron Rodgers replacement image

Hiring a new head coach isn't the only major priority the Pittsburgh Steelers have this offseason.

The other comes at quarterback, where the Steelers are likely to have to find a replacement for Aaron Rodgers, who could retire.

While it's also possible Rodgers will play in 2026, chances are that won't be for the Steelers after Mike Tomlin decided to step down as head coach on Tuesday. Even Steelers president Art Rooney II admitted that will likely be the case.

"Look, Aaron came here to play for Mike. So I think it would most likely affect his decision," Rooney said.

The offseason approach the Steelers take and who they hire as the head coach will impact who they look at for their next quarterback.

With Tomlin gone, it's possible the Steelers will hit the reset button and begin a rebuild, which would make a big splash move via trade or free agency at the position far less likely.

However, if the Steelers stay the course and try to compete in 2026, making a significant move for a veteran starter will be on the table.

Steelers predicted to trade for Kyler Murray

In an article predicting some of the biggest NFL offseason trades, Bleacher Report's Alex Ballentine envisions the Steelers pulling off a trade with the Arizona Cardinals for quarterback Kyler Murray.

"The weak quarterback class could have the Steelers looking to take a big swing on Kyler Murray, one of the few veteran quarterbacks who could be available," Ballentine wrote.

"The Steelers proved they have the roster and coaching to get into the playoffs with a baseline of competent quarterback play. Aaron Rodgers (44.1) was just 23rd in Total QBR, and Pittsburgh still won the AFC North. Murray has surpassed that mark in every season of his career," Ballentine added.

Ballentine's suggested trade package for Murray includes the Steelers' 2026 third-round pick and a conditional 2027 fourth-round pick that can jump to a second-rounder based on playing time.

The Steelers are absolutely loaded with draft picks in 2026, with the team projected to have 12, so they could afford a trade like this.

A two-time Pro Bowler, Murray appeared set to get benched this season before he landed on injured reserve with a foot issue that kept him out the rest of the year.

Now, Murray and the Cardinals are reportedly expected to have discussions about his future with the team this offseason, and league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Murray is more likely to be gone than stay.

While his stock is down, Murray is still an above-average quarterback, at worst. He would present a strong bridge option for the Steelers and he's still young enough at 28 years old to be a long-term solution if everything pans out.

Murray's $230 million contract runs through 2028, and that contract is going to hurt what the Cardinals get back for him in a trade, but the Steelers wouldn't be tied to Murray for the long haul, as he's got no guaranteed money on his deal after 2026.

While we would most definitely prefer the Steelers to use an early pick on a young quarterback who can possibly take them into the future, this year's draft class at quarterback isn't great, so the Steelers might avoid it entirely.

If that's the case, we could see the Steelers pulling off this kind of trade to get Murray to Pittsburgh.

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