The Aaron Rodgers—Pittsburgh Steelers saga continues as the team begins its OTA schedule. The 20-year veteran has yet to sign with any team, and Pittsburgh remains the most realistic landing spot.
The 2025 season will likely be rocky, whether or not the Steelers sign Rodgers, but Pittsburgh is predicted to add a 44-touchdown quarterback in a pair of recent way-too-early mock drafts.
Steelers Finally Find QB of the Future in 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Pittsburgh fought to a 10-7 record and a Wild Card berth in 2024 despite pedestrian play from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Wilson missed the first six games with a calf injury, and Fields led the team to a 4-2 start, throwing for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception before being relegated to 13 plays the rest of the regular season.
Wilson took over and got Pittsburgh to a 10-3 record before fading down the stretch. He threw for 2,482 yards, 16 scores, and five interceptions.
The Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card round, and both Wilson and Fields are now playing elsewhere in 2025, which has opened the door for Rodgers in Pittsburgh. The long-time Green Bay Packers quarterback had a “positive” in-house meeting with the Steelers soon after the NFL league year began, but he remains on the street late into the league’s spring calendar.
The 10-time Pro Bowler is coming off one of his worst statistical seasons, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 2024. Rodgers looked better late in the season, but it was too late for the New York Jets’ playoff hopes by then.
Pittsburgh will roll into 2025 with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson if Rodgers doesn’t sign, but what will they do in 2026?
CSN’s Max Dorsey predicts the Steelers will select LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier at No. 19 overall in his latest way-too-early mock draft. Dorsey wrote, “Garrett Nussmeier very well could be the No. 1 overall pick next season, given the flashes he showed in 2024. To me, Nussmeier wasn’t as consistent as (Drew) Allar or (Cade) Klubnik, but he has the tools to be an NFL quarterback.
“Nussmeier put the ball in harm’s way a lot for the Tigers last season, and doesn’t have the mobility that (Arch) Manning, Allar, and even Klubnik have. If he can prove to scouts that he can cut down on the bad throws, he should be a first-round pick in 2026.”
Likewise, PFSN’s Jacob Infante agrees in his latest 2026 mock draft. Infante said, “Sixth-round pick Will Howard was a solid flier, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may still be searching for their next franchise quarterback. They find a better option here.
“Garrett Nussmeier isn’t the flashiest QB, but he’s accurate, smart, and calm under pressure. His pocket presence and decision-making stand out. LSU has quietly become a factory for pro-ready quarterbacks, and Nussmeier could be next in line.”
Nussmeier led the SEC in completions (337) and pass attempts (525) last year in his first season as LSU’s starter. He threw for 4,052 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while leading the Tigers to a 9-4 record.
Dorsey has Nussmeier as the fourth QB off the board in the first round of his mock draft. If he posts better numbers in 2025 and LSU makes the College Football Playoff, it’s not hard to believe Nussmeier goes higher than pick 19.
Yeah, The Steelers should give up on Rodgers, he doesn’t have much more to give as it is! I see him as a liability rather than a savior! He isn’t as mobile as he once was, and he should be retiring to be honest! They should have gotten Sanders but they blew that hoping Rodgers would make his mind up! He’s done, let’s be honest!