The Aaron Rodgers experiment has worked well for the Pittsburgh Steelers so far in 2025, but there is still no long-term option at quarterback currently on the team. Even if the 41-year-old comes back for another season in 2026, the same questions will be around about who can be the next franchise quarterback of this team. Team scouts have and will be doing a lot of work on that position in particular when deciding which college football games they should attend. Something has to be done so Pittsburgh can get out of this purgatory.
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Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland.
Getting out of quarterback mediocracy is a lot easier said than done. In his weekly Q&A chat, insider Ray Fittipaldo was asked about the possibility of the Steelers just rolling with Rodgers and Will Howard at quarterback and drafting other positions of need instead. From what he said, it's definitely possible that they look for a new passer in 2027.
"I think they'll do their due diligence and have these QBs rated on their board like all the other prospects," Fittipaldo said. "They won't reach for a QB. I keep telling people the 2027 draft is promising for QBs as well. So believe me, they won't be pressed into picking a QB just because they need one to develop."
The 2026 quarterback class was expected to be one of the best ones in a very long time. Instead, nearly every single prospect has flopped early on in the season. It seems like no passer currently playing in college is ready to make the leap to the NFL and be the savior that many teams like Pittsburgh hope they can be. There's still time, but not that much.
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Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning lines up for a snap during the game against UTSA in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Of course, there is no guarantee that 2027's class will be any better for the Steelers. The question then comes around to "How long can Pittsburgh pass on quarterbacks in the first round?"
This is what quarterback purgatory truly is. Your current options are bridge options at best. The draft seems to lack NFL abilities. The open market rarely has any high-end passers available. There's just a glaring hole at the most important position in football, and there seems to be no answers for that position...for now, at least.
Steelers Should Take Notes From NFC Team
The opposite of quarterback purgatory is known as just playing for the Green Bay Packers. They have no issues with drafting and developing players. Like the Steelers, they almost always have their selection in the 20s in the first round, so it's not like they are just bad enough to luck into generational talents. They have a system that has obviously worked for them, including with Rodgers.
Green Bay Packers
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers celebrates with teammates after a touchdown.
They are super patient with their young passers. Instead of throwing them into the fire, the Packers will just let their first-round picks ride the bench for a few years until they have mastered everything in practice and had some in-game reps here and there. That's why Rodgers was so elite, and it's also why Jordan Love has been a massive success for Green Bay so far.
If the Steelers do go that route, the best course of action to take would be to draft Nico Iamaleava of the UCLA Bruins. Yes, his first year in Los Angeles has been a train wreck, but he showed a very high ceiling with the Tennessee Volunteers, and he is only 21 years old. If they expect him to be ready by Day 1, it will be a massive reach. However, if they're patient with him and give him the keys to the offense at around age 24, Pittsburgh could finally be free.
What do you think about the Steelers not reaching for a quarterback in 2026, as well as the idea of taking the Packers' strategy? Let us know in the comments or on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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