The Pittsburgh Steelers have had an exciting offseason so far in 2026. After former head coach Mike Tomlin resigned, the team named Mike McCarthy the franchise's 17th head coach all-time. Neither many within the fan base, nor the media were excited about the hire, but Team President and Owner Art Rooney II assured fans this was the right move for the task at hand -- winning a Super Bowl. McCarthy is known around the NFL as a quarterback whisperer. He's coached the likes of Joe Montana, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers, and Dak Prescott. McCarthy can be credited with helping develop Rodgers and Prescott specifically. Now, he must do this for the Steelers.
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Former Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy and quarterback Aaron Rodgers go over plays in an NFL game in their time in Green Bay.
The Steelers have given Rodgers an ultimatum. His deadline is before the free agency period begins. Until then, the only other quarterbacks are Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the Steelers' roster. McCarthy gave Howard high praise in his opening press conference, as the young quarterback is a former National Champion with the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Howard was also a sixth-round pick; he didn't have his best season until 2024. The Steelers have already seen plenty of Rudolph in the last eight seasons, so if Rodgers decides he doesn't want to play, Howard could be the favorite to be the Steelers' starter come September. Steelers insider Mark Kaboly spoke on 93.7 The Fan recently however, where he was asked about Howard and his potential to start Week 1. Kaboly didn't give Howard much of a chance.
"No, not as we say," Kaboly said. "You can't move forward right now like that, absolutely not."
Kaboly said that if Rodgers doesn't return, Rudolph would have the edge to be the team's starter. He also says that a free agent acquisition would be in line.
"Right now, you'd have to give the edge to Mason Rudolph because he's been there and done that," Kaboly stated. "Then you have to find somebody, probably free agent-wise. I mean... Mac Jones?"
Mac Jones would be an intriguing option for the Steelers. But he's still under contract for another season out west and Pittsburgh would have to give up draft capitol to acquire him. He kept the San Francisco 49ers afloat when Brock Purdy went down with turf toe in 2025. A first-round quarterback who ran through the Kyle Shanahan/Sean McVay system that turned his career around is certainly promising. In a similar situation, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is now set to play in the Super Bowl.
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49ers quarterback Mac Jones during an away game in the 2025 season.
Outside of Rodgers, Jones would likely give the Steelers the best chance to win, but getting him would continue the same cycle Tomlin had -- recycling veteran quarterbacks that never stick. Though Jones would be younger than the usual trend, the results would likely be the same, which is already discouraging for fans.
Steelers Don't Have A Ton Of Options At Quarterback
The Steelers' options currently are Rodgers and Howard. Rudolph would likely be the training camp starter, but Howard could most certainly beat him out. So if not any of these options, then who? Jones is under contract with the 49ers for another season, so the Steelers would have to trade for him, and given his play, he'd likely go for a day two pick. That's a lot for a potential rental player. There are a few free agent options, but none are likely worth it over the Howard experiment if the Steelers truly want to find out what the sixth-round pick has actually got.
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Steelers QB Will Howard during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Daniel Jones is set to hit the open market too. Jones was having a solid season before tearing his Achilles with the Indianapolis Colts, but Daniel Jones, like the others mentioned, has already an extremely slow start to their careers overall. Veteran
Kirk Cousins is also set to be released. Cousins played well when called upon in 2025 with the Atlanta Falcons. However, Cousins will be 38 next season. If the Steelers want to move on, they must break the cycle of recycling veteran quarterbacks. As long as they keep this trend up, they will likely remain in the same spot.
What do you think? Will Rodgers return? Is Will Howard set to be the Week 1 starter? Let us know in the comments.
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