There are plenty of different routes for the Pittsburgh Steelers to go if the 2026 campaign does end up being Aaron Rodgers' last go-around. There are potentially two in-house options for the organization in Will Howard and Drew Allar. The team could also select a signal-caller in the 2027 NFL Draft. Finally, the trade and free agency markets could always present a veteran looking for a new home. It's fair to wonder what the future holds, especially because the most important position in all of sports happens to be quarterback. It's hard to win championships without a franchise guy.
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Quarterback Drew Allar goes through passing drills as he looks to impress executives during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine that took place in Indianapolis, IN at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The good news for the Steelers is that a decision doesn't have to come just yet. The 2026 training camp practices and preseason matchups will help the front office get a better idea of if and when either Howard or Allar could be ready for a permanent starting job. If neither is all that impressive, there will have to be some big decisions made once Rodgers officially announces his retirement — whenever that may be.
The class coming out of college is currently expected to be pretty strong, but that doesn't mean that general manager Omar Khan will be in a position to take one of the top passers. If the Steelers end up making the postseason once again, it would take a lot of ammo to move up far enough into the first round to get a player who could be potentially generational.
This is where creativity might have to come in. The NFL Draft occurs in April; however, free agency happens much sooner. There is still the possibility that Pittsburgh will target someone who is looking to move on from whatever situation he is currently in. The biggest name to keep an eye on in this regard would be none other than Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The veteran has made it very clear that he had no interest in negotiating a long-term deal once training camp started. That has led to some serious drama that could get General Manager Jason Licht into a lot of trouble with the fan base.
Any talks of a new contract for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs are finished, and he will play the 2026 season on his current expiring deal and the two sides will revisit things from there. Potentially a major free agent in March.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) July 28, 2026
Mayfield has always been one to bet on himself, and now he is set to do so again unless something drastic happens. He will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after he clearly was unhappy with whatever offers were coming across the table. The Steelers make total sense as an option for him, specifically because there is no love lost between the quarterback and the Cleveland Browns. It could make for a phenomenal storyline.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) leaves the field after the game at Bank of America Stadium.
This situation will pretty much go unnoticed once the news of no contract being agreed to enters the rearview mirror. The veteran wants to focus on the season ahead without worrying about a fresh deal. This could pose a serious problem to the Buccaneers, because there is no reason for him to accept any kind of extension prior to free agency beginning in 2027.
The Steelers would be at the top of the list as far as next destinations go. The defense will still be expected to have some serious talent, and the offense is in the middle of a revamping. This could add another wrinkle to Pittsburgh's search for someone who can be under center consistently for many years in a row. Mayfield might not have 15 years left in him; however, he sure has some great football ahead.
Steelers Have Cap Space Work To Do If Interested In Mayfield
A lot of extensions have been handed out by Pittsburgh recently, and there are going to be more coming. Signing someone like Mayfield would take anywhere from $40 to $55 million per season on an annual average value basis. Khan has always been a wizard with the financials, and it appears he could have a chance to bring Mayfield in due to the incompetence coming from Tampa Bay and Licht.
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