Former Jets GM Questions Steelers’ Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, Pushes for Surprising QB To Lead Pittsburgh

With organized team activities underway, the absence of Aaron Rodgers from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ camp has been a notable development. While most believe Rodgers’ signing with the Steelers is inevitable, this marks two years in a row that the legendary quarterback hasn’t been available for his team at this time of the year.

With the entire offseason, NFL Draft included, passing by without Pittsburgh picking up a legitimate starting-caliber quarterback, the worry is starting to mount — to the point that some believe the team should abandon the Rodgers experiment before it even begins.

Former Jets GM Wants Will Howard at QB, Not Aaron Rodgers

Since the 2024 season came to an end, Rodgers’ next destination has been one of the biggest topics of the entire offseason. His tenure with the New York Jets came to a brutal end, leading many teams to potentially be next in line.

The New York Giants, the Minnesota Vikings, and the Steelers were all among the most likely, with the latter name the only one left standing. But, for Mike Tannenbaum, going after the four-time MVP is like chasing fool’s gold.

Holding a front office position for 12 years with the Jets, Tannenbaum was part of the crew that last saw the team make a postseason appearance. Speaking on “Unsportmanlike Radio,” he was clear in his rebuttal of his former team’s former quarterback.

“I think we’re past that,” Tannenbaum said about the deadline for Rodgers to show up for the Steelers. Instead, he wanted the team to focus on their sixth-round draft pick, Will Howard. For him, the continuity Howard offers is a better bet in the long run than the former Super Bowl champion.

There’s a new name that @RealTannenbaum thinks we should be talking about with the Pittsburgh Steelers: Will Howard. pic.twitter.com/XraaGJRyFE

— UNSPORTSMANLIKE Radio (@UnSportsESPN) June 2, 2025

“As great as Aaron Rodgers once was, he’s going to be 42 in December. Are we better off with a young Will Howard that has everything in front of him, that will be chomping at the bit? So, to me, the Aaron Rodgers thing, what are we getting at the end of the day?”

To his point, Rodgers ranked 21st on PFSN’s QB+ metric last season, behind names like Aidan O’Connell and rookie Drake Maye, as he finished with a career-worst in passer rating. Instead, taking a plunge on Howard, either as the long-term starter or to draft higher in the 2026 draft, might be the smarter bet.

Going a step further, he even believed that Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins would be a better choice than Rodgers if his team traded him after Michael Penix Jr. took over the starting job in Georgia.