Steelers Are Facing A Harsh Reality At Quarterback As Team Is Hit With Condemning Statement

The Pittsburgh Steelers have already gone through a ton of changes during the 2026 offseason, but the fan base should also be prepared for some significant turnover on the roster. One position that is going to be watched closely is quarterback. Pittsburgh has had a different opening day starter in each of the last four seasons, and the organization has been in a purgatory of sorts ever since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. Aaron Rodgers was the quarterback in 2025, and he could return for the 2026 season, or the franchise could find another option in free agency or on the trade market.

Pittsburgh won't have many reliable options when it comes to the team's starting quarterback in 2026. The only two quarterbacks currently under contract are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, and there has been a push to allow Howard to get a chance to start. Rodgers is a possibility as mentioned, and the free agent class is quite underwhelming. Malik Willis is the headliner, and Daniel Jones is out there, but he will probably stay with the Indianapolis Colts. The other options are top Trey Lance, Zach Wilson, and Marcus Mariota. 

Insider Ray Fittipaldo was on the North Shore Drive podcast recently where he was asked if any of those quarterbacks could have a Sam Darnold-like career revival.

"None of those guys, I think, are the next Sam Darnold. I would put Baker and Sam Darnold in the same category, and not necessarily any of the guys that you just mentioned," Fittipaldo said. "I don't think they come along every year. I do think the best option for the Steelers is to bring Aaron Rodgers back. Because they won 10 games with him. You would think it would be better in his second year because he knows his teammates. And because, even though there was a coaching change, he knows Mike McCarthy's system."

Darnold's resurgence has been a topic of conversation throughout the postseason, and that is even more true now that he led the Seattle Seahawks to a victory in Super Bowl LX. The same has been said about Baker Mayfield with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Stories like that give franchises without a top quarterback in the league some hope, and Pittsburgh certainly falls into that category.

Darnold's and Mayfield's stories are amazing and they should inspire some hope in franchises around the league, but they do not happen often. Fittipaldo doesn't see it happening with any of the quarterbacks that are set to be free agents during the 2026 offseason, which means the Steelers are probably out of luck. Willis is the top target QB, but he might not pan out wherever he signs. It seems like he will land with the Miami Dolphins as there are ties to the head coach and some executives, but all will be revealed come March. 

Pittsburgh's best option is probably hoping that Rodgers wants to come back and play another season while waiting for an opportunity to land a younger, potential franchise quarterback. That can happen through the draft or via free agency, but it just doesn't seem like it will happen in 2026. 

Steelers' Best Possible Option Is Apparently Untouchable

The quarterback that is most primed for a career resurgence as a starter is likely Mac Jones of the San Francisco 49ers. He is under contract with the team through 2026, but the organization has already said that it does not want to trade Jones. He would be an enticing option for the Steelers, but it does not seem like there is any way to obtain him. 

He filled in nicely for Brock Purdy in 2025 and won a handful of starts while playing well, and he could be on a Darnold-esque career path.

What do you think of Pittsburgh's options at quarterback? Do you want Rodgers back? Let us know in the comments below!

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