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Steelers Have Intriguing Aaron Rodgers Solution

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Steelers Have Intriguing Aaron Rodgers Solution

Originally posted on Lindy's Sports | By Cole Shelton | Last updated Aug 11, 2026 10:19 AM ET

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The Pittsburgh Steelers brought back Aaron Rodgers for one more NFL season, which he has said will be his last.

Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title and a playoff berth last season, but Pittsburgh was blown out by the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round. After the year, Rodgers contemplated his future, but he opted to return to Pittsburgh.

Entering the 2026 NFL season, Rodgers will be the starter again, while Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar are all behind him. Allar is the third-string quarterback, so it's likely the team will move on from either Rudolph or Howard before the season.

Yet, neither of the three appear to be a long-term answer at quarterback, so the Steelers could look to bring in their franchise quarterback this offseason.

There are some intriguing quarterback prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft, but Pittsburgh is unlikely to have a high enough pick to take the likes of Arch Manning or Dante Moore. So, the Steelers could look toward free agency or a trade, and there is an obvious answer.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is in the last year of his three-year, $100 million deal and has voiced his frustration that he hasn't gotten a long-term deal.

If Mayfield doesn't reach a long-term deal with the Buccaneers, he's the obvious answer for the Steelers quarterback. Pittsburgh could give him a lucrative long-term deal and would help keep the Steelers competitve post Rodgers exit.

Meanwhile, Mayfield has a grudge against the Cleveland Browns who selected him first overall but they traded him ahead of his fifth season, as they chose to acquire Deshaun Watson instead of rolling with Mayfield.

Since then, Mayfield has taken shots at the Browns, and if he does reach free agency, he could take more shots by signing with their division rival. He'd get the chance to play Cleveland twice a year and prove thye made a mistake letting him go.

And, for the Steelers, Mayfield would help them remian competive in 2027 and beyond, so if the Bucs don't sign him, Pittsburgh could be the obvious landing spot.

Baker Mayfield Frustrated With Contract

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

As the Buccaneers have begun training camp, Mayfield has voiced his frustration that he didn't get an extension done this offseason.

Mayfield went as far to say he feels disrespected by the Buccaneers on Instagram.

"I wanted a deal done and set the deadline and told them it was gonna be all ball after that," Mayfield said. ... So, disappointing in that regard to not have, to feel disrespected a little bit. That's really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you've earned it. This is not a 'poor me' thing. There's a lot amount of people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserve to be compensated for that.

"I think I'm a franchise quarterback. I've been told I'm a franchise quarterback. It's been said publicly from ownership down here. So, to not have a deal done is very disappointing. But I said the deadline was the deadline."

If Mayfield plays well this season and still feels disrespected, he could force his way out even if Tampa Bay uses a franchise tag on him.

So, perhaps 2026 is the last year of Mayfield in Tampa Bay, and the Steelers would be one of the teams hoping to get him.

This article first appeared on Lindy's Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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