Gerry Dulac: If Aaron Rodgers goes elsewhere, what are Steelers' next QB options?

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Mar 18, 2025

Published in Football

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PITTSBURGH — The Steelers continue to await a decision from Aaron Rodgers, but if the four-time NFL MVP ends his lengthy courtship with the team and signs elsewhere, it raises plenty of questions about what they intend to do about a starting quarterback.

One of the options, though, is relying on the player who saved their 2023 season — Mason Rudolph.

Rodgers is reported to be involved in talks with two others teams — the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. If he chooses one of those NFC teams, or even decides to retire, the Steelers will now decide if 1.) they want to re-sign Russell Wilson, 2.) make a trade for a veteran with starting experience, or 3.) rely on Rudolph while they consider drafting a quarterback.

Two things are certain: No matter which option they choose, they will not give any quarterback they bring in anything more than a one-year contract. That is what the Steelers are offering Rodgers. Sources said the delay in the Steelers' discussions with Rodgers was not about money.

And, at some point, no matter who might be the designated starter, the Steelers will draft a quarterback either this year or next with the hope he will become their long-term starter.

They do not have a second-round choice this year after trading it to acquire receiver DK Metcalf. So, if they don't take a quarterback in the first round, which seems highly unlikely, the best they can do is hope to get one in the third round.

Wilson visited with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday and the Giants on Friday but did not reach agreement with either team. His preference is to re-sign with the Steelers, but it has become apparent the team is not in any hurry to do so, if at all.

The only viable trade that makes sense would be to acquire a player such as Kirk Cousins, whom the Atlanta Falcons decided to keep on their roster. That decision triggered a $10 million roster bonus Cousins would be owed for the 2026 season, but doesn't necessarily mean the Falcons wouldn't trade the 36-year-old quarterback.

Rudolph was brought back on a two-year, $8 million deal last week with the intention of being the backup — hopefully for Rodgers.

But, despite past indecision and even reluctance with their former third-round draft choice, the Steelers think Rudolph showed them enough at the end of the 2023 season to be an effective — albeit temporary — starter.

That might seem hard to believe, based on the way Rudolph has been treated in the past.

After being Ben Roethlisberger's top backup for most of his career, Rudolph was demoted to third team in 2022 when the Steelers signed Mitch Trubisky in free agency and selected Kenny Pickett in the first round of the draft.

Even after he came off the bench and won the final three games of the 2023 season to secure a spot in the postseason — throwing for 719 yards and three touchdowns — the Steelers signed Wilson in free agency to be their starter.

Rudolph, who was talking to the Steelers about coming back for the 2024 season, saw the writing on the wall and immediately signed with the Tennessee Titans. One day later, the Steelers traded an unhappy Pickett to the Philadelphia Eagles.

While a lot of people questioned why the Steelers would even consider Rodgers, who will be 42 in December, he was at least being looked at as their one-year starter.

Even if they decide to go with Rudolph, the Steelers will be inclined to sign a veteran quarterback because they always believe in having two quarterbacks with starting experience on the roster.

Either way, they will be running low on options.

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