Steelers Training Camp Outlook: QB Depth Chart

Ahead of Pittsburgh Steelers training camp at Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe (Penn) from July 24 through August 12, 2025, Steel City Underground presents outlooks on each positional group’s depth chart and offers insight on how those players may fare ahead of the NFL regular season.

Next week, the Pittsburgh Steelers will arrive at Saint Vincent College with a new lineup of quarterbacks. This year’s group is notably strong, featuring both a former Super Bowl champion and the most recent College Football Playoff champion.

The Steelers typically bring four quarterbacks to training camp. However, by the time the roster is trimmed to the final 53 players for the regular season, usually only three quarterbacks remain with the team. Let’s take a closer look at the four players who will be practicing in Latrobe.

Quarterbacks group: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard

Wiping the slate clean

Much like other positions on the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers roster, the quarterback room looks significantly different from last season. General Manager Omar Khan has once again “wiped the slate clean,” a strategy he also employed the previous year. Last season, Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, and Mason Rudolph were replaced by Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen. This year, the new names taking their place are Rodgers, Rudolph, Thompson, and Howard.

The organization made a concerted effort to make changes following yet another early exit from the playoffs, a recurring issue often attributed to the inability to sustain drives or score points. The hope is that Rodgers’ leadership and the refined offensive strategy will translate into sustained drives and more points.

Now in year two of offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith’s tenure, the hope is to lean on Rodgers’ leadership and develop the other quarterbacks behind him for improved results. Smith is tasked with integrating these new pieces, particularly tailoring the offense to maximize Rodgers’ talents. With Rodgers history of not turning footballs over, the offense should remain on the field for longer portions of time too.

Smith has stated that he “constructed” the offense with Rodgers in mind, and the addition of receiver DK Metcalf also suggests a more pass-heavy approach than some of Smith’s previous schemes.

Rodgers returns

At 41 years old, Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP, is embarking on a quest few quarterbacks his age have attempted. Released by the New York Jets prior to this year’s free agency period, Rodgers had been largely out of the public eye, focusing on personal endeavors with only occasional appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show” and a visit to the Steelers’ facilities.

The veteran quarterback had hinted at retirement, but ultimately decided he had at least one more year left in him. Ending months of speculation, he signed with the Steelers ahead of minicamp last month, believing his efforts would be best served in Pittsburgh.

The Steelers will be counting on Rodgers to not only lead the offense and minimize mistakes but also to mentor the younger players on the roster.

Mason’s Back

One of the surprise signings early in the offseason was that of Mason Rudolph, who returns to the Steelers after a year away with the Tennessee Titans. A former third-round pick of the Steelers back in 2018, Rudolph has always been a quarterback called upon in an emergency. In 2019 he jumped into Ben Roethlisberger’s role halfway through the second game, and has flip-flopped in and out of the lineup since.

His last set of similar appearances with the Steelers led them to a playoff berth in 2023 when Rudolph started, and won, the final three games. He threw for 719 yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in that span with a 74.3% completion rate.

Last season in Tennessee, Mason Rudolph saw significant playing time, entering in a relief role for second-year quarterback Will Levis. Rudolph appeared in eight games, making five starts, and completed 64% of his passes. However, he struggled on what was arguably the worst team in football, throwing nine touchdowns and nine interceptions. With the Steelers, the hope is that Rudolph can provide a steady hand behind Aaron Rodgers and step into games if necessary.

Rudolph’s two-year deal suggests the Steelers see him as more than just a stop-gap. Learning directly from a quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber offers an unparalleled opportunity for Rudolph to refine his game, improve his decision-making, and potentially gain a deeper understanding of offensive intricacies. If Rodgers does indeed retire after the 2025 season, Rudolph’s experience and the knowledge gained from working with a future Hall of Famer could absolutely give him a strong case to compete for the starting job in 2026.

This would be his best chance yet to establish himself as a primary NFL starter.

Out to prove something

Aaron Rodgers has consistently said all the right things since joining the Steelers, emphasizing his commitment to winning and being a team player, not a distraction. The big question remains whether the 41-year-old former Super Bowl MVP has another dominant year left in him. Regardless, his impressive pedigree and knack for minimizing turnovers are undeniable.

Rodgers’ 2024 statistics of 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdowns would have been a significant improvement for the Steelers, especially considering the struggles of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to maintain any offensive consistency last season.

Various levels of experience

While Rodgers enters his 21st season in the NFL and Rudolph enters his eighth, the Steelers will also have a look at two other young passers on their roster.

Will Howard, a sixth round rookie, won the CFP with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024. According to Sports Reference, he threw for 4,010 yards, 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 73% completion rate over 16 games in his senior year.

Howard will likely enter as the fourth quarterback on the depth chart, but isn’t likely to be cut during the offseason as he develops behind the veterans Rodgers and Rudolph. Taking the QB3 reps in practice instead will be Skylar Thompson, a former seventh-round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2022.

Thompson has three career starts and has appeared in ten games, giving him some real-game experience to draw upon. He has a lifetime completion rate of 58.7%, and has thrown for 721 yards, 1 touchdown and 3 interceptions as a pro.