Steelers' Patrick Queen Admits His Desire For Aaron Rodgers In Pittsburgh: "The Little Fan In Me"

Offseason activities are in full swing, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are gearing up for the upcoming regular season. Along with these organized programs comes increased media attention and a wave of questions. The Steelers have been at the center of numerous offseason discussions because of significant roster changes, including key acquisitions, as well as the departure of several notable players.

The ongoing void of a clear starting quarterback continues to dominate media coverage surrounding the Steelers. Despite the uncertainty at the position, several current players have stepped up to show support for the quarterbacks already on the roster. In a recent interview posted by reporter Chris Adamski on X, Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen was among those voicing confidence in the current quarterback group, offering support amidst the speculation and debate.

It’s widely known that the Steelers are considered frontrunners to land veteran free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, it feels like an eternity has passed since the initial rumors began linking Rodgers to the Steelers. Reports have circulated for some time now that the team has extended an offer to Rodgers and are currently in a waiting game, simply awaiting his decision.

Despite the ongoing uncertainty, the Steelers' front office has continued to present a composed and confident front. This has led many to believe they remain optimistic that Rodgers will ultimately sign with the organization. Steelers Owner and President Art Rooney II recently stated that the franchise is willing to "wait a bit longer" for a decision, a comment that has only fueled further frustration among fans. As a result of this entire situation, the front office is facing mounting criticism, with some suggesting that Rodgers is taking advantage of the team's patience and that leadership is failing to keep control over the situation.

Regardless of whether Rodgers decides to sign, it’s encouraging to see team members like Queen rallying behind the current quarterback room. If the regular season were to begin today, Mason Rudolph would most likely be the starter. Rudolph’s past time with the Steelers has sparked mixed reactions; some fans remain skeptical, while others are comfortable with the possibility of him leading the Steelers as their starting quarterback.

Rudolph has spent the majority of his career as a backup. Though he was initially brought in to be the successor to Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger, his time in Pittsburgh fell short of those expectations. Nevertheless, Rudolph earned some fan support through his ability to step up and lead the Steelers to key victories when given the opportunity.

When Rudolph entered free agency last season, the Tennessee Titans signed him to serve as a backup to Will Levis. However, after just one season away from Pittsburgh, the Steelers brought him back this offseason. This return likely gives Rudolph extra motivation to prove to the organization that he deserved to remain with the team all along.

The Steelers Have Multiple Options

Some fans have portrayed the situation as if the Steelers have no viable options if Rodgers doesn’t sign, with many doubting Rudolph’s potential as a starting quarterback. If neither Rodgers nor Rudolph pans out, the Steelers do have another option in Skyler Thompson. However, the more promising and eagerly awaited choice is their recent 2025 rookie draft pick, Will Howard. 

Howard was chosen in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, which leaves some uncertainty about whether he will have the chance to become the franchise’s future. Nevertheless, the Steelers likely saw potential in him to make that pick. It’s expected that Howard will at least have the opportunity to showcase his skills during the upcoming offseason programs.

The more time Rodgers takes to finalize a deal with the Steelers, the greater the opportunity for both Howard and Rudolph to show their skills during these offseason programs. Amidst all the uncertainty, it will be interesting to see how the quarterback situation ends up by the time the season starts.

What do you think of Queen's confidence in the current QB room? Be sure to comment below!

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