The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2025 season is one of the hardest to predict among all 32 NFL teams. While most franchises already have a clearer picture of their quarterback situations and can plan accordingly, Pittsburgh’s ongoing saga involving Aaron Rodgers continues to drag on.
Team president Art Rooney II discussed the situation last month and provided a new update on the franchise’s stance, which might not significantly change the current outlook.
Steelers Still Waiting For Aaron Rodgers’ Decision
In recent seasons, the Steelers have found themselves in a complicated situation. Year after year, the team finishes with a winning record, a standard that has become the baseline for quality since Mike Tomlin took over the franchise. It reflects a strong roster that manages to win regular-season games even without a top-tier quarterback.
However, this also sets a ceiling on the team’s performance that isn’t high enough to compete with the top franchises in the AFC. In the team’s last four playoff appearances, the Steelers have been outmatched by their opponents and haven’t won a postseason game since 2017. Within their division, the Baltimore Ravens and Cincinnati Bengals have elite quarterbacks, raising the bar even higher.
This brings us to Pittsburgh’s current situation. The franchise is waiting for a decision from a future Hall of Famer, Aaron Rodgers, a free agent after being released by the New York Jets. With all other teams having settled their quarterback situations for the season, the expectation is that Rodgers will take over as the Steelers’ starter in 2025.
But the key word here is: Expectation. Rodgers has openly discussed the possibility of retirement. If that happens, Pittsburgh would head into the season with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson as its quarterbacks, arguably the weakest quarterback group in the NFL for the upcoming season.
Amid all this, the team president has spoken out, adding to what he had previously said when asked about the topic in April. During the owners’ meeting last Wednesday, Insider Jeremy Fowler shared details of what Rooney had to say.
#Steelers president Art Rooney II — who said April 1 that the Steelers will wait "not forever, but a little while longer" for Aaron Rodgers — delivered a similar line on his way out of Wednesday's owners meetings.
“A little while longer. I’ll say the same thing," he said.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN)
“A little while longer. I’ll say the same thing,” the Steelers’ president said.
The current approach is one of caution and patience because the Steelers have no other options. The franchise let Russell Wilson and Justin Fields walk in free agency, and no major alternatives remain on the market. While it’s far from ideal, waiting on Rodgers is the team’s best chance to compete at a high level in 2025.
What Are Steelers’ Options Besides Rodgers?
One option would be to pursue Kirk Cousins, the veteran quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, who is expected to be a backup this season while the NFC South franchise develops Michael Penix Jr. However, a $10 million bonus became guaranteed when the team kept Cousins on the roster after March 15, which could lead the Falcons to ask for more in a potential trade.
There’s also the possibility of waiting to see what the Cleveland Browns decide to do with their quarterback room. They currently have two veterans, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, and two rookies, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders.
One of the veterans is expected to be cut or traded before the season begins, and could be a viable option for the Steelers if Rodgers chooses to retire. Pickett spent two seasons in Pittsburgh, but is a backup at best and no better than Rudolph. Flacco would be the smartest option should they need to go that route.
Either way, the franchise has backed itself into a corner. While waiting on a decision from a 41-year-old quarterback who isn’t sure if he wants to keep playing and is past his prime, Pittsburgh’s AFC rivals are already moving forward with more concrete plans for the season. All that’s left for the Steelers is to wait and hope Rodgers arrives as a savior for the year.