Aaron Rodgers has all but confirmed the 2025 season will be his swan song. After 18 NFL seasons, he’ll ride off into the sunset — or maybe vanish to a cave or some remote spot off the grid, never to be heard from again.
That leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers in line for a new starting quarterback, as it’s unlikely backup Mason Rudolph will be handed the reins again.
Which means Pittsburgh will most likely turn to the 2026 NFL Draft to find its next signal-caller. In his latest mock draft, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson has the Steelers’ replacement pegged as USC quarterback Jayden Maiava.
“Jayden Maiava plays with poise and confidence and thrives in the pocket, where he'll consistently get through progressions and deliver tight-window throws with both anticipation and touch,” Wilson wrote. “He can make accurate, layered throws to all levels of the field, shows escapability under pressure and can create plays out of structure. At 6-foot-4, Maiava has a big arm, and he'll use it to exploit coverage mismatches on intermediate and downfield throws.”
Maiava has enjoyed a breakout season with the Trojans in his first year as a starter. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards with 1,587 and has 11 touchdowns, helping USC to a 4-1 start while also emerging as a potential Heisman Trophy candidate.
“Statistically, he’s been the best quarterback so far. If you look at wins against replacement, other metrics, several metrics in college football have him at number one,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy said. “He looks extremely comfortable. He’s got a great supporting cast, and he is delivering a lot of difficult throws on a week-to-week basis, and he doesn’t miss many, man. Jayden Maiava is playing at an outrageously high level for the Trojans.”
Maiava transferred to USC from UNLV last year, where he appeared in seven games as a backup to Miller Moss. The season before with the Rebels, he played in 14 games, throwing for over 3,000 yards and 17 touchdowns. In three seasons, the USC rising star has accounted for 50 total touchdowns.
There’s still a ways to go before Maiava is considered a surefire first-round pick as Wilson projects at No. 15 overall. His limited number of starts will raise concerns. But in a quarterback class that looked loaded with seasoned veterans heading into the season, Maiava is among the new names reshaping the draft board.