Steelers Could Still Be In On CJ Stroud As He Could Be Team’s Last Resort

The Pittsburgh Steelers have gone through a wholesale change with the coaching staff this offseason for the first time since 2007. With a completely revamped crew, the team is looking to have a new look in 2026, hoping to end the nine-year playoff win drought. Though the coaching staff has been flipped however, the roster remains mostly the same, with the some long-time Steelers coming back for at least one more season. That includes the 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who signed a new one-year deal worth $22.5 million. With the team wanting to win now, bringing back Rodgers seemed like the best choice at signal-caller to accomplish the goal. 

Earlier in the Organized Team Activities (OTAs), Rodgers announced the 2026 season will be his last, most likely marking the end of a Hall of Fame-caliber career. With Rodgers almost certainly gone after the season, the team will have to turn to one of the young signal-callers (either Will Howard or Drew Allar). Both young QBs are in the midst of huge a offseason, with Howard battling for the QB2 spot and Allar needing to show improvement over his days at Penn State. The preseason will be a huge test for both players, but no matter the outcome, another QB will likely be added early in the 2027 NFL Draft. 

Much like the 2026 quarterback class, the 2027 QB class is projected to be one of the best in years. Many of the prospects in the 2027 pool were expected to come out in 2026, but aside from Fernando Mendoza, there weren't any true stars at the position. With Arch Manning and Dante Moore returning to school for one more season, and Julian Sayin, CJ Carr, and Jayden Maiava expected to have huge seasons, there's already much excitement growing for the Steelers' 2027 draft plans. 

Though there are high hopes, the same could be said for the 2026 QB class, which greatly disappointed in the eyes of many. If the college football season is once again unkind to the Steelers' QB plans, they could pivot to a veteran, perhaps the Houston Texans' CJ Stroud. Team insider Christopher Carter recently appeared on an episode of his show, Locked On, where he outlined a potential path for the Steelers to pursue Stroud. 

"So, like, if everything goes wrong, like, if you're in the college football season, you're like, oh boy, this isn't it. Arch Manning, he stinks. Like this, not a year... Maybe then you say, ok what do we think of Drew Allar and Will Howard? Are they not alright? Let's consider the market for CJ Stroud, if again, the Texans let him go." 

Former Steelers players have advised the team to stay away from the former Ohio State Buckeyes standout, but he has a first-round pedigree and has had success in the NFL. If Allar and Howard amount to nothing in the league and the upcoming QB class is another disappointment, Stroud could become the Steelers' best option. 

Acquiring Stroud comes with pros and cons. He's a former first-round pick who's won a playoff game in every season he's played. On the other hand, he has had many crucial turnovers and hasn't improved much since his rookie season. It would also likely require an overpay via trade capital, and the contract he'd be owed. 

Steelers Better Hope There Are Other Solutions

This offseason, the Steelers had 12 draft picks to work with, hoping they could trade up for their potential franchise quarterback in their own city. With the lack of high-quality prospects, they had to settle for Max Iheanachor, putting off the long-term QB solution for another year. 2027 must be a better year for QB prospects; otherwise, it once again puts Pittsburgh in a very tough spot. 

Stroud would likely require an unnecessary overpay, and one that the team is not in a position to make. With his flaws as a player heading into year four, it may be best just to stay away and bank on the 2027 QB class being what it's hyped to be. 

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