Of all the offseason storylines, none feels further from a resolution than Aaron Rodgers’ future. Widely linked to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran quarterback has yet to make a decision, and with May already underway, the uncertainty at the position is clouding any clear outlook for the team’s 2025 campaign.
Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull made a lighthearted comment about the situation, but it only added to growing concerns about the franchise’s direction heading into the new season.
Aaron Rodgers Situation Is More Complex Than AI, Says Steelers’ Minority Owner
At this point in the offseason, every team has addressed its quarterback needs — either through the draft or free agency. The only vacancy that remains is in Pittsburgh, where the options currently on the table seem far from ideal for a franchise with Super Bowl aspirations in 2025.
During a CNBC interview about artificial intelligence, Steelers minority owner Thomas Tull was asked about the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers and joked about the situation.
“I’m here to talk about AI, and that’s a more complex issue than artificial intelligence,” Tull said.
Although Tull spoke in a lighthearted tone, the reality of the situation is far from simple. It involves a quarterback over 40 who’s coming off a disappointing season and has publicly acknowledged the possibility of retirement. If Rodgers ultimately decides to walk away from the game, Pittsburgh would find itself in a dire spot at quarterback.
Currently, the Steelers have three quarterbacks on their roster: Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson. While Rudolph has NFL experience — including a playoff start for Pittsburgh — once he becomes your starting quarterback, a clear ceiling is set for how far the team can realistically go.
Howard is likely the most intriguing option in the eyes of fans, but expectations should stay grounded. He was a sixth-round pick for a reason. Despite winning a championship at Ohio State and showing off a strong arm, compact release, and solid passing mechanics, his decision-making and processing during the snap still need work.
From a competitive standpoint, Pittsburgh is in a tough spot to evaluate. Year after year, the franchise finishes the regular season with a winning record, good enough to make the playoffs or come close. But once they reach the postseason, the roster just hasn’t been strong enough to compete, as shown by the team’s last three playoff appearances.
The hope is that Rodgers can be the final piece the franchise needs to truly compete with AFC powerhouses like the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Buffalo Bills. But for that to happen, the best version of Rodgers—or at least a major step up from what he showed in his last two seasons as a starter—will have to show up.
While the Steelers have yet to name their starting quarterback for the upcoming season, the franchise is already making moves to build a more sustainable future. George Pickens was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, and the team used the draft to shore up key areas like the defensive line.
Still, Pittsburgh will likely need to reassess the quarterback position again in the coming years. Because no matter who takes the reins in 2025, long-term stability under center remains a major question mark.