The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently facing a great deal of uncertainty at one of the most important positions in football, which is the starting quarterback. As of now, they do not officially have a clear starter, and this ongoing uncertainty has become a major topic of conversation in the media. The situation becomes even more pressing when compared to the rest of the league, where nearly every other team has solidified their starting quarterback heading into the upcoming season.
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Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan speaking on the sidelines inside Acrisure Stadium.
Brian Batko, a Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently released a mailbag column in which he answered questions submitted by fans. In his responses, Batko hinted that the Steelers may be shifting their focus toward finding their long-term starting quarterback in the future, rather than relying solely on current roster options.
"I can tell you the Steelers are high on next year’s quarterback class," Batko wrote.
It’s no secret that the Steelers are widely considered the favorites to land veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. For months now, the organization has been heavily linked to the veteran, sparking endless discussions from both fans and analysts about the possibility of him joining the team. Reports have even indicated that the Steelers have officially extended an offer to Rodgers. As of now, the ball appears to be in Rodgers’ court, with the fan base eagerly awaiting a final decision that could significantly shape the franchise's immediate future.
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Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a professional football game on the road.
Regardless of whether Rodgers ultimately chooses to sign with the Steelers, it’s clear that he is not viewed as a long-term solution for the franchise. At 41 years old, Rodgers is currently the oldest active player in the NFL, and his career is undoubtedly coming to an end. Reports suggest that the offer extended by the Steelers is for a short-term deal, which aligns with the idea that Rodgers is aiming to finish his career on a high note. For the Steelers, this deal would serve as a temporary bridge while they evaluate or prepare for their future at the quarterback position. According to Batko, the organization may already be eyeing the 2026 NFL Draft as a more ideal opportunity to find and secure their next franchise quarterback.
The 2026 NFL Draft will be hosted in Pittsburgh, right in the Steelers' backyard. In preparation, the Steelers have been accumulating draft capital through a combination of trades and expected compensatory picks. This growing collection of draft capital could put them in a position to make a big move during the 2026 draft. With the hometown spotlight shining brightly, the Steelers may look to capitalize on the moment by securing a key player, potentially even their future franchise quarterback, on their home turf.
The Steelers did select a quarterback during the 2025 NFL Draft, but they waited until the final day of the event to do so. In the sixth round, they picked up Will Howard, a quarterback out of Ohio State University. While this pick adds depth to the quarterback room, the fact that Howard was taken so late raises questions about how the Steelers view his long-term potential. It remains uncertain whether the team sees him as a future franchise quarterback or simply as a developmental prospect with upside.
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Steelers' sixth-round draft pick, quarterback Will Howard during the 2025 NFL Combine.
Steelers Understand The 2026 NFL Draft Quarterback Class Is Viewed As Stronger
The 2025 NFL Draft quarterback class was widely seen as one of the weaker groups in recent years. Scouts and analysts alike noted a lack of pro-ready quarterback prospects compared to past years. In contrast, the 2024 NFL Draft featured an exceptionally strong quarterback class, filled with highly-graded prospects who were expected to make immediate impacts on their respective teams, and did. Looking ahead, early projections suggest that the 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class is shaping up to be another strong group, with several promising college quarterbacks already gaining significant attention. As a result, many teams, including the Steelers, may have chosen to be more conservative this year at the quarterback position, potentially saving their draft capital for the future.
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