The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had stability under center in years. Now, Aaron Rodgers is expected to take over for the 2025 season, but that doesn’t erase the whiplash from the past few years. As the franchise prepares for yet another quarterback transition, one player’s perspective stands out.
Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth, the only offensive starter who’s weathered every quarterback shuffle since 2021, isn’t pretending it’s been easy. But he’s also not shying away from the challenge.
Steelers’ Pat Freiermuth Addresses the Turnover at Quarterback
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement after the 2021 season, the Steelers have started five different quarterbacks: Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. With Rodgers now set to start, he will become the sixth different starter in just five seasons, highlighting the team’s continued search for stability at quarterback. Freiermuth, drafted in 2021, has been the lone constant amid the chaos.
Speaking after a mandatory minicamp session, Freiermuth summed up the situation in one word: “Tough.”
“Obviously we’re looking for whoever can help us compete and win a Super Bowl,” Freiermuth added. “I embrace the challenge.”
Freiermuth pointed out that tight ends benefit from running similar routes regardless of who’s throwing the ball, but even that hasn’t erased the reality of Pittsburgh’s instability. The 2024 season alone saw Fields open the year as the starter before Wilson reclaimed the job in Week 7, a move reportedly driven by head coach Mike Tomlin despite division among the staff.
And now, Rodgers enters the picture, likely for just one season. The 41-year-old is coming off a rough 5-12 campaign with the New York Jets, but Freiermuth believes the four-time MVP still brings a valuable edge.
Aaron Rodgers Brings Experience, but Pittsburgh’s Future Remains Uncertain
Appearing on “Not Just Football with Cam Heyward,” Freiermuth compared Rodgers to Roethlisberger, pointing to their shared ability to “throw receivers open.”
“He’s gonna trust you to where you’re gonna be,” Freiermuth said. “If he trusts you, he’s gonna throw it to that spot and go let you make a play.”
Rodgers’ experience and football IQ could be exactly what Pittsburgh’s offense has lacked since 2021. In 2024, he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He may no longer have elite mobility, especially after the Achilles injury in 2023, but his processing speed remains sharp.
Still, the future at quarterback remains murky. Will Howard, a sixth-round rookie, is a long shot to become the long-term answer. With 12 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, Pittsburgh may need to move up to secure a true franchise quarterback, for Freiermuth’s sake and the offense’s future.
Because no matter how well Rodgers plays in 2025, Pittsburgh can’t keep running in circles.
