Aaron Rodgers has finally decided to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is expected to be at the team’s upcoming mandatory minicamp. For much of the offseason, Mason Rudolph was working as the starting quarterback, but that’s likely to change with Rodgers in the fold.
Let’s look at how Pittsburgh’s QB depth chart looks with Rodgers coming in.
Aaron Rodgers Slides Into QB1 Role After Decision To Sign With the Steelers
Pittsburgh’s quarterback cupboard was pretty bare heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Rudolph and Skylar Thompson were the only signal-callers on the roster before the team drafted Ohio State’s Will Howard.
The Rodgers to Pittsburgh rumors began around the start of the new league year, and some speculated that the 20-year veteran would wait until after the draft to sign. Rodgers ended up waiting until well after the draft to make his decision, but the early spring rumors proved to be true as he will play his 21st season for the Steelers.
Rodgers takes over a Pittsburgh offense that finished 25th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric last season. The Steelers will be hoping for more consistent quarterback play than what Russell Wilson provided down the stretch in 2024.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that Rodgers had decided to sign with Pittsburgh. With just the team’s mandatory minicamp remaining, he’ll have to put in a lot of work to fully understand the playbook before the regular season begins.
Renegade A-Rod: Four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers informed the #Steelers he’ll fly to Pittsburgh on Friday and sign before next week’s minicamp, sources tell The Insiders.
Finally, a done deal: Rodgers, 41, will play his 21st NFL season in black and gold. pic.twitter.com/zuDXWrSDG0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 5, 2025
Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers comes in after spending the last two seasons with the New York Jets. The Super Bowl 45 MVP is coming off a torn Achilles in 2023 and one of his worst statistical seasons in 2024.
He posted 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in his one full year starting for the Jets, and finished 21st in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. He’s likely a short-term fix for Pittsburgh’s quarterback issues, but he is the team’s best available option.
Mason Rudolph
The seven-year vet returns to Pittsburgh after a year with the Tennessee Titans. He appeared in eight games last year with five starts, filling in for Will Levis. Rudolph totaled 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns, and nine interceptions en route to finishing No. 26 in the QB+ metric.
Rudolph never had to be “the guy” during his first stint in Pittsburgh, and likely would have been had Rodgers not signed. With the long-time Green Bay Packers quarterback in the fold, Rudolph will slide into the backup role.
Will Howard
The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He wasn’t expected to go before Day 3 until Ohio State’s College Football Playoff run began. In that four-game stretch, he posted 1,150 yards and eight touchdowns.
Howard’s legs were a huge part of his game at both Kansas State and for the Buckeyes. He added 57 yards on 16 carries in the national championship game. That run boosted Howard’s draft stock enough for the Steelers to select him, but he’ll likely slide into the third-string role with Rodgers coming in.
Skylar Thompson
Thompson signed a reserve/futures contract with Pittsburgh after the Steelers lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round. The 2022 seventh-round pick spent his first three seasons with the Miami Dolphins, appearing in 11 games with four starts, including the playoffs.
His most extended action was as a rookie when he played in eight games and started three, filling in for Tua Tagovailoa. He started two games in the regular season and Miami’s Wild Card Round loss to the Buffalo Bills. In his career, Thompson has thrown for 721 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions.