The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to proceed into the 2025 offseason with questions surrounding the quarterback position. With Justin Fields on his way to the New York Jets, and Aaron Rodgers still deciding on his future, the Steelers are trying to figure out who will be their starter come September.
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Aaron Rogers about to pass in a game against the Seahawks.
Steelers insider from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Ray Fittipaldo, said on 93.7 The Fan that there was a "51 percent chance" that the Steelers sign Rodgers.
"Well that's what they want, I'm not privy to the conversations they've had with the agent, but I'll say 51%," said Fittipaldo. "It's not a great feeling right now, but it's where they are focusing their efforts."
Where Rodgers lands is almost entirely up to the quarterback himself -- and what he does, almost no one can predict. The former Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP has been dragging his heels on making his choice and keeping potential teams in suspense. If the Steelers are confident in Rodger's ability to become the team's starting signal-caller, they may not be inclined to rush his decision.
Rodgers may be holding out to yet have a late-career resurgence, such as what happened with Peyton Manning and Tom Brady. It may have been his plan when the former Green Bay Packers quarterback went to the New York Jets. After Rodgers' unfortunate tenure with his last team didn't go to plan, the Steelers could be his last shot at ending his legacy on a high note. If Fittipaldo is correct, the Steelers may see it the same way.
Is The Steelers' Faith In Rodgers Misplaced?
Russell Wilson is the next obvious choice for the Steelers. And in terms of both quarterback's stats over the last two years, Wilson tops Rodgers. Rodger's last two years with the Jets were more like one. After returning to the Jets for year two after a disappointing early injury in his first season, he failed to bring the team much success.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson gets ready to throw the ball during an away game.
Stats can be deceiving, however. In response to Rodgers's success rate vs Wilson's, Fittipaldo clarified.
"With Rodgers, I do think it's the best option. He can still play," Fittipaldo argued. "Over his final 8 or 9 games, he had 18 touchdowns and only four interceptions."
If the Steelers have their hearts set on Rodgers or any veteran quarterback for that matter, they may seek to draft a fresh signal-caller from college in 2025. No team in the Steelers' situation should acquire a quarterback over 40 and not have a younger backup ready to pick up the torch. If the Steelers don't draft a prospect like Jaxson Dart, the responsibility would fall on Pittsburgh veteran Mason Rudolph, who was just recently picked back up by the team in free agency.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph throwing a pass during an away game vs. Baltimore.
Considering age, none of the three major quarterbacks gunning to be the starter for the Steelers have the potential to be a major difference maker for the team in the long haul. Pittsburgh may be scraping the bottom of the quarterback barrel, and the best they may hope for is to snag a veteran to help develop whoever they may land in the upcoming draft.
However, Rodgers isn't the kind of quarterback who would be anyone's backup. Should the Steelers choose to take the draft route, whatever quarterback is picked up will likely have to wait until Rodgers retires or moves on from Pittsburgh.
Looking at the Steelers' current offseason moves, they have been very aggressive building a threatening offense, but are yet to find a quarterback to tie it all together. Many of the Steelers' major signings, namely wide receiver DK Metcalf and running back Kenneth Gainwell, will likely outlast Rodgers with the Steelers, at which point they will need a talented quarterback to throw them the ball. Even if the Steelers opt to sign Rodgers, they will need to consider the long-term status of their signal caller.
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