The Pittsburgh Steelers still have a dilemma to solve as it pertains to their future at quarterback, with Aaron Rodgers currently holding the fort. The team hasn’t been able to maintain long-term consistency under center since Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022. With several directions they could go in for the future, two analysts highlighted an intriguing candidate.
Mike Florio, Myles Simmons Urge Steelers to Pursue Baker Mayfield in 2027
The Steelers have been running a makeshift operation at quarterback for quite a while now, having had six different starters in the last four years. From Mitchell Trubisky to Kenny Pickett, former head coach Mike Tomlin made the boat float with a juggling act of quarterbacks.
Rodgers was supposed to provide some stability at the position when he was brought in last year. However, at 42, the veteran won’t be around much longer, and the front office has to take a serious look at the future.
In a conversation with Mike Florio on “Pro Football Talk,” Myles Simmons broke down how a balanced quarterback like Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield would fit into Pittsburgh.
“Baker Mayfield has the kind of attitude — and I mean this in a good way — where he will go to a rival,” Simmons said. “[But] the NFC South — I don’t think he’s gonna go to Atlanta, unless they make a change at head coach, I don’t think he’ll go back to the Panthers, either, and it looks like New Orleans has a quarterback. But in the AFC North, Pittsburgh Steelers, potentially, you know. Aaron Rodgers — last year, last ride.”
Rodgers confirmed that the 2026 season will be his last, and it will also mark the final season of Mayfield’s three-year, $100 million contract. The Bucs’ Pro Bowl quarterback said negotiations aren’t looking good at this stage, suggesting that he might hit free agency next year.
Florio chimed in on Simmons’s take, saying the Steelers would benefit tremendously from acquiring Mayfield’s services for 2027.
“Baker Mayfield would be perfect in Pittsburgh,” he said. “He would be perfect. I know they would like to get off this train of older, veteran quarterbacks, but I mean, he’s a spring chicken in comparison to Aaron Rodgers. I would make a beeline for Baker Mayfield if I’m Mike McCarthy… I am doing whatever it takes to get Baker Mayfield in Pittsburgh.”
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While the Steelers also have two young quarterbacks, Mason Rudolph and Drew Allar, on the roster, neither is yet ready to take over from Rodgers. Howard won a national championship at Ohio State (posting an 84.8 PFSN CFB QB Impact score in 2024), but questions remain about his NFL pedigree. Allar was just selected in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and he needs a lot of time to develop.
How Pittsburgh resolves its quarterback dilemma will be interesting to see.
