The Pittsburgh Steelers made some notable moves ahead of the 2025 NFL season, including their blockbuster trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, after watching quarterback Justin Fields agree to sign with the New York Jets on a two-year, $40 million deal, Pittsburgh still lacks answers at the game’s most important position.
The Steelers have been rumored as a suitor for Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and considering the team appears to be just a quality quarterback away from genuine contention, it’s not surprising that both parties continue to explore a potential agreement.
However, Rodgers is also reported to be interested in the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings. If he signs with either of them, what does Pittsburgh do? NFL draft expert Daniel Jeremiah has some answers.
Daniel Jeremiah Reveals Steelers’ Plan B If They Miss on Aaron Rodgers
After benching Fields despite a 4-2 start in 2024, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin watched him go to New York in free agency. Next the Steelers missed out on Sam Darnold. The Steelers have also seemingly alienated Russell Wilson by leaving their 2024 starter waiting while they pursued other targets.
With Fields, Darnold, and possibly Wilson off the table — and Rodgers in no hurry to decide his future — Pittsburgh is running out of options in its search for a starting quarterback.
That could make them turn to Plan B, which, according to Jeremiah, would involve drafting a rookie such as Jaxson Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Pittsburgh at this point in time, if they don’t get Aaron Rodgers, I think they gotta do a lot of homework on these guys. Whether that’s Dart, Tyler Shough, whoever. I just can’t see them going into the season with Mason Rudolph as their guy,” he said on the latest episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Jeremiah even has Pittsburgh selecting Dart No. 21 overall in his latest mock draft, arguing that the Steelers should pick him regardless of whether Rodgers joins.
“Even if he does, how many years that’s going to buy you? If you love one of these quarterbacks, go ahead and take them,” he concluded.
"If Pittsburgh doesn't get Aaron Rodgers they've gotta do a lot of homework on these QBs in the draft..
Jaxson Dart has gotten better every single year in College" ~ @MoveTheSticks #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/z19pDmCbLH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 19, 2025
The Steelers are indeed exploring their Plan B options and recently hosted former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe for dinner. According to Tom Pelissero, Milroe dined with head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan, and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth ahead of his pro day.
With Pittsburgh holding the No. 21 overall pick, they have a real chance at selecting Dart, Shough, or Milroe, and perhaps one of them will still be available in the second or third round.
However, in PFSN’s latest two-round mock draft by Marco Enriquez, they are projected to select North Carolina running back Omario Hampton. It’s worth noting that both Shough and Milroe are available for Pittsburgh in Enriquez’s scenario, while Dart goes at No. 9 to the New Orleans Saints.