Aaron Rodgers was relatively successful in his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, including winning the AFC North divisional title. It’s unclear whether he will return in 2026 for another year, as rumors of his retirement have been circulating in the NFL. Franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger recently addressed the situation and laid out a plan for the quarterback position.
Ben Roethlisberger Picks Aaron Rodgers’ Replacement for Steelers Amid Retirement Rumors
Roethlisberger is an iconic Steelers quarterback who helped the franchise win two Super Bowl titles before his retirement. He remained in Pittsburgh throughout his NFL career and now hosts the “Footbahlin” podcast, which also covers the team.
He recently discussed the situation surrounding Rodgers, who is allegedly considering retirement during the 2026 offseason. He gave his insight into what they may do with the quarterback position in the coming season if they are forced to make a change.
“If Aaron retires, Will Howard should start and a vet minimum QB like Carson Wentz should be brought in,” stated Roethlisberger.
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Many have speculated that the Steelers may target a quarterback in the 2026 NFL Draft, but some may have overlooked the fact that they already took one last year. The Ohio State Buckeyes’ Will Howard was picked in the sixth round, so while he doesn’t necessarily have high expectations, he has already been developing for a year in Pittsburgh.
Roethlisberger believes that they will turn to Howard as Rodgers’ replacement if the legendary quarterback decides to retire this year. He also suggested pairing him with a veteran on a minimum contract to add depth and support the prospect. He used Carson Wentz as an ideal example, but several of them should be available during the offseason.
The Steelers may be heading into a rebuild, especially if their quarterback retires, amid head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down this year. His decision to do so came shortly after they were again eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Rodgers’ debate over whether to retire and whether to potentially return to Pittsburgh may be affected by who they choose as their next head coach, who has yet to be determined. He struggled as a whole this year, finishing 29th among all quarterbacks in PFSN’s Impact Rankings. However, he was still good enough to get them to the playoffs, though apparently not good enough to advance to the Divisional Round.
