Shawne Merriman explains what NFL teams simply cannot do with Aaron Rodgers right now

Shawne Merriman says the Steelers might have to wait

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback situation is a unique one, and looks even more peculiar in the aftermath of the 2025 NFL draft.

While the Steelers added some excellent talent with their 2025 draft class, there was one thing very evidently missing, a priority quarterback.

Mike Tomlin’s team was heavily linked with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders , who even drew comparisons between the Steelers head coach and his father, Deion Sanders. Shedeur seemed to believe the visit went well, but the outcome of the NFL draft says otherwise.

Pittsburgh passed on Sanders three times before he was eventually picked by the AFC North rival Cleveland Browns in the 5th round. The Browns chose two quarterbacks from the 2025 class before the Steelers took one themselves, waiting until the 6th round before selecting Will Howard out of Ohio State.

Some would say that’s a smart move considering it was thought to be a weak draft outside of Cam Ward, who was taken first overall by the Tennessee Titans. Others believe the Steelers must have a plan with veteran Aaron Rodgers, who took a behind-closed-doors visit with the franchise not so long ago.

Shawne Merriman suggested the Steelers might be waiting a while, as the one thing you can’t do with Aaron Rodgers is rush him:

“It’s in Aaron Rodgers’ hands, and it’s always been. I don’t think there’s many teams that are going to force him to make a decision, and he’s probably met with Tomlin, which is why they’ve not gone to get a quarterback. He’s met with him, but he’s not going to rush; that’s just who Aaron Rodgers has been. You’re not going to force him to make a decision, especially publicly.

“You can meet with him behind closed doors, but publicly, you’re not going to force him to make a decision. He’ll be one and done, probably, wherever he goes, and help out whatever rookies behind him and get them going.”

Aaron Rodgers could still be considering retirement

When he appeared on the Pat McAfee show for the first time since his split with the Jets earlier this month, Rodgers said all options were still on the table. He spoke about being a 41-year-old with a lot of responsibilities outside of football, and that those things were important to consider when he made his eventual decision.

As Merriman said, Rodgers is likely to be one-and-done, so if he plays in 2025, he will want to take one last shot at winning his second Super Bowl. The venture with the New York Jets was largely marred by the immediate Achilles injury, and he’ll be 42 years old in December. He’ll want to win it all now, and Pittsburgh would be hoping that Will Howard will learn a ton from him in that time.

The issue the Steelers now face is if Rodgers decides to retire. Their backup plan is Mason Rudolph, who would likely start the season while Howard adjusts. By now, Pittsburgh knows what they’re getting from Rudolph, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the 6th round rookie play later in the year.

In either scenario, Steelers fans will question how many games they’re going to be able to win with either a perennial backup who has struggled as a starter or a 6th round draft pick.