The Pittsburgh Steelers decided against making a hefty investment on a quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft. Will Howard was selected in the sixth round, but he will be looked up as a backup at first, instead of as a potential franchise signal-caller. This decision has led many to believe that Aaron Rodgers is absolutely planning on coming to play in the Steel City. The problem with that assumption, however, is that the veteran can be completely unpredictable. Until he officially puts pen to paper, fans should worry about who will definitely be taking snaps under center once the regular season kicks off.
Butch Dill / Associated Press
Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 NFL Draft sixth-round selection and quarterback Will Howard prepares to throw a pass during the 2025 National Championship with Ohio State.
Many have theorized that the Steelers would attempt to trade for someone like Kirk Cousins if the plan to sign Rodgers falls through, but there is another veteran quarterback out there that would not require draft capital to bring in. It just so happens that a potential quarterback option has a relationship with Pittsburgh's Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
Barring incredible development from Howard, it's pretty widely accepted right now that the Steelers don't have a long-term plan at the most important position in all of sports. That will be the case for the 2025 campaign regardless, which could lead one to believe that signing Ryan Tannehill could make a ton of sense if Rodgers does indeed decide to go in a different direction.
Tannehill had some of the best seasons of his career with Smith as his offensive play-caller. He did not play for a team in 2024 after being released by the Tennessee Titans, but it does not appear that he has retired. If Rodgers decides to bail on Pittsburgh, Tannehill could provide a veteran presence in the locker room and also act as a second starter if Mason Rudolph were to perform poorly.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (Twitter / X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph (#2) runs a drill and gets ready to throw a football during a 2022 team training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
After the Minnesota Vikings decided to trade for Sam Howell over draft weekend, it became clear that their recent reported interest in Tannehill is no longer something being considered internally.
Sources: The #Vikings have had discussions with former #Titans QB Ryan Tannehill about a potential deal. Talks are ongoing and nothing is imminent as of right now, sources tell @NFLonFOX. pic.twitter.com/yF71IYo9Pg
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 21, 2025
It appears as if Tannehill is back to square one when it comes to a potential new team to play for. He is not going to get a starting gig anywhere, barring an odd situation, so the Steelers could be on the top of his list, especially if Rodgers refuses to commit to the organization. Tannehill would slide in over Howard as the backup and have an opportunity to start if things weren't going well for the offense.
Tannehill had a great relationship with Smith while the two were in Tennessee. A run-heavy offense that emphasized play-action passing was extremely formidable. That approach helped get the organization to the playoffs, and, in 2019, compete for an AFC Championship. If Pittsburgh has nowhere else to go and needs a veteran to get on board, Tannehill could be the guy. It's clearly not going to work with him and the Vikings, so he potentially is holding out hope for the Steel City.
Mark Zaleski / Associated Press
Former Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill stands alongside his former Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith as the two walk on the field at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN.
Steelers Have Almost Zero Options Left At Quarterback
If Rodgers decides to retire, or wait out for another team to have a quarterback injury, Pittsburgh is going to be in rough shape. Rudolph proved that he is capable of starting back in 2023, but it would be a little better to have a four-time MVP running the offense. Tannehill's name will start to be thrown around if Rodgers lets the Steelers know that he is going in a different direction. It wouldn't be an earth-shattering move, but Tannehill could still have some good football left in him.
Do you think that Tannehill is hoping for Rodgers to stop talks with the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!
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