Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled to find success at the quarterback position. From Kenny Pickett to the Russell Wilson/Justin Fields duo from last year, Pittsburgh has longed for consistency under center.
With the way their current search is going, it is unlikely they find a permanent solution this year either. In a relatively weak NFL Draft at QB and with the No. 21 overall pick, they have focused on signing a free agent like Aaron Rodgers or potentially reuniting with Wilson. However, in either case, the team has a prerequisite as part of the deal.
Pittsburgh Steelers Have 1 Clear Demand From Their Next QB
So far, the main name that has been circled as the likely next quarterback of the Steelers is four-time MVP and former Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers, who could be moving from East Rutherford, N.J., to Pittsburgh.
However, with most notable free agency moves in the rearview mirror, the delay in this decision has left fans wondering what’s going on behind the scenes. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac revealed some of the details behind the ongoing negotiations.
Regarding the slow-moving process, Dulac said, “Sources said the delay in the Steelers’ discussion with Rodgers was not about the money.”
However, what might be causing a problem is the non-negotiable demand that Pittsburgh is insisting on in these discussions.
“Two things are certain: No matter which option they choose, they will not give any quarterback they bring in anything more than a one-year contract. That is what the Steelers are offering Rodgers.”
Dulac says the Steelers have offered Aaron Rodgers a one-year deal: “Two things are certain: No matter which option they choose, they will not give any quarterback they bring in anything more than a one-year contract. That is what the Steelers are offering Rodgers. Sources said…
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) March 17, 2025
After the year he had with the New York Jets, it is not hard to imagine why the Steelers would be wary about giving Rodgers a multi-year deal. But with the demand for a starting-caliber QB far higher than the supply — and with Rodgers presenting the best option available — it’s a bit surprising that the Steelers wouldn’t budge on this.
Last year, for all of his weaknesses, Rodgers still finished eighth in the league in passing yards with 3,897 yards and he was tied for seventh in touchdowns (28). While not as efficient as he was in his prime, that is a mark very few players in history can reach. However, he ranked 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric (72.2, C-), painting a worse picture.
However, the Steelers’ desire to hand out a one-year deal for the veteran seems set in stone. If they want to continue their run of playoff appearances and Mike Tomlin’s streak of non-losing seasons, they need improvements on the offensive side of the ball.
After finishing 25th last season in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, it will be hard for the defense to once again shoulder the team’s load. Unless they’re ready for a full reset, it appears unlikely that Pittsburgh can find a guy who meets all their demands.
Could Pittsburgh Pair a Rookie With a Veteran QB?
While Rodgers is undoubtedly removed from the MVP form he showed in Green Bay for a decade, he’s still a viable option even on the other side of 40. This led to him being ranked as the No. 53 free agent available this offseason, according to PFSN’s Top 121 NFL Free Agent Rankings. He received a risk-level grade of “medium.”
“He used to be a talent elevator and now likely needs to be elevated by the talent around him. Rodgers posted the lowest aDOT of his career in 2024 alongside his lowest deep touchdown rate,” wrote PFSN’s Stats and Insights team.
“The late-season play was encouraging, and the downside is minimal. Rodgers had 130 pressured attempts last year, and not a single one of them was intercepted. He profiles as a steadying force for a team that is otherwise set to make a run.”
While the Steelers likely want to prioritize a one-year deal in order to have as much flexibility as possible during the 2026 offseason, they could still be in the market for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, whether as an option for the future or a long-term backup.
If the Steelers want to find a backup of the future, players like Will Howard, Kyle McCord, and Riley Leonard, among others, could be options in the middle-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft.
While none of them profile as franchise options, they could be a QB2 of the future, learning behind a veteran and alongside Mason Rudolph, who returned to the Steel City this offseason on a two-year deal.
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However, the Steelers could also look for a potential long-term option like Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart, who may not be ready to start in 2025 but could develop into a starting option after their veteran’s one-year deal is up. If Shedeur Sanders does slide down draft boards as rumors have indicated, it would not be surprising to see Pittsburgh make a play.
In PFSN’s latest first-round mock draft, Anthony Pasciolla has the Steelers selecting Dart with the No. 21 pick.
“If the Pittsburgh Steelers fail to sign Aaron Rodgers or bring back Russell Wilson (which is highly unlikely), Jaxson Dart could come off the board earlier than anticipated,” Pasciolla wrote.
“Dart’s offense at Ole Miss was predicated on speed and efficiency, running a play every 22 seconds on average. This tempo minimizes responsibility for the QB, eliminates their ability to take a detailed pre-snap scan of the defense, and gives him tunnel vision towards his read key.
“If the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin implemented a similar system, Dart could find success for a pick that some might deem a reach.”