The Pittsburgh Steelers have been front and center in the media spotlight throughout a busy and highly debated offseason. While the team has made several moves, the most glaring issue continues to be the uncertainty surrounding the starting quarterback position. Despite plenty of time and multiple opportunities to address the need, the Steelers have opted to play the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers, leaving many people questioning the team’s strategy at one of the most critical roles on the roster.
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Former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during an NFL game.
The quarterback is an important part of any offense and this position impacts the entire team, not just the offensive unit. Ray Fittipaldo, a Steelers insider for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, recently highlighted this in an article detailing the key storylines unfolding within the organization ahead of critical offseason programs. In his piece, Fittipaldo emphasized the significance of the quarterback position while also shedding light on the Steelers’ efforts to regain their footing and steer the team back on course.
"When first-round quarterbacks are busts, it can set a franchise back years," Fittipaldo wrote. For a team like the Steelers that wants to build through the trenches, missing on first-round offensive linemen can be just as damaging."
Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, many expected the Steelers to prioritize selecting a quarterback in the early rounds. The team was linked to several top prospects, fueling speculation that a first-round pick might be used to secure their quarterback of the future. However, the Steelers took a different approach, ultimately waiting until the sixth round, on the final day of the draft, to select Will Howard, a quarterback out of Ohio State University. Given his late-round status, it’s uncertain whether Howard is viewed as a long-term solution under center. Still, with Rodgers yet to sign, Howard is currently benefiting from valuable reps and an unexpected opportunity to prove himself.
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Steelers' sixth-round 2025 NFL Draft pick, quarterback Will Howard celebrating during a game.
It feels like ages since the initial rumors linking Rodgers to the Steelers began circulating. Since then, numerous rumored deadlines for his decision have come and gone, and yet there’s still no official answer. The prolonged uncertainty has left fans feeling frustrated and anxious, as the team remains in limbo at one of the most critical positions on the roster.
It’s not just Rodgers facing criticism over the ongoing uncertainty, as much of the heat is directed at the Steelers’ front office. Many are beginning to question the organization's leadership and authority in how the situation has been handled. Specifically, Team President Art Rooney II and General Manager Omar Khan have come under fire, as they’ve been the most vocal figures addressing the issue. Their repeated reassurances that the team is content to wait “a little while longer” have only fueled frustration among fans and analysts, who are eager for decisive action.
Much of the Steelers' current uncertainty at the quarterback position can be traced back to an important, and now widely questioned, decision made by former General Manager Kevin Colbert. In the midst of Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, Colbert used the team’s first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft to select Kenny Pickett, hoping he would become the franchise’s next long-term quarterback. At the time, Pickett was viewed as the successor to Roethlisberger, but his time in Pittsburgh ultimately fell short of expectations, leaving the team still searching for a long-term solution at quarterback.
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Former Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett looking on during a game.
Pickett's time in Pittsburgh was known for inconsistency, injuries, and an overall lack of development. He struggled to command the offense, often failing to make key throws or sustain drives, which ultimately hindered the team's offensive production. Despite moments of promise, Pickett never fully gained the trust of the coaching staff or the fan base, and by the time the team moved on, it was clear he hadn’t lived up to his potential as a franchise quarterback.
Steelers Looking To The Future
While past mistakes have undeniably shaped the current state of the team, the focus now must shift toward building a stronger future. The Steelers have been strategically accumulating draft capital through trades and positioning themselves for potential compensatory picks via free agency. This growing pool of assets gives the team flexibility to make impactful moves aimed at strengthening the roster for years to come. However, success will ultimately depend on the ability to identify the right talent, and just as importantly, to develop those players into dynamic, game-changing contributors.
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