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The Steelers Could Be In Big Trouble After 2025
Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

The Steelers Could Be In Big Trouble After 2025

Originally posted on Stadium Rant  |  By Drew Palmer  |  Last updated Nov 6, 2025 11:08 AM ET

Life after Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t been sunshine and rainbows for the Pittsburgh Steelers . Quarterback is the most important position in football. Unfortunately, none of the players that Pittsburgh saw as long-term solutions worked out. Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, and Mason Rudolph proved that they weren’t the answer. Justin Fields left for what he thought were greener pastures. The Steelers dodged a bullet there. Aaron Rodgers has been great, but he isn’t a long-term solution. 

Running Out Of Time

Rodgers still looks incredible, but he is about to turn 42. After this season, he might have one more left in him, but that isn’t a guarantee. At 41, Rodgers is tied for third in the NFL in passing touchdowns through nine games. He has completed 68% of his passes and led the Steelers to a 5-3 record. Any shortcomings the team has had aren’t his fault. He’s been the savior for Pittsburgh at the halfway point of the season. 

Despite the greatness of Rodgers, a massive problem is looming for the Steelers. They don’t have their quarterback of the future. Rodgers has been grooming Will Howard, but it isn’t a guarantee that he is starting material. Mason Rudolph is a cool backup, but he is far from a long-term solution. Pittsburgh passed on Jaxson Dart, but it was hard to envision him having success in the Steel City anyway. 

The Steelers’ Limited Options

It has been believed that the 2026 NFL Draft would be where the Steelers find the next face of the franchise. The draft is in Pittsburgh, and it was originally thought to be a loaded quarterback class, but that was many moons ago. The class doesn’t look strong, and that is a problem for Pittsburgh and other quarterback-needy teams. The Steelers aren’t going to have access to the cream of the crop. 

Fernando Mendoza, Dante Moore, and Ty Simpson have emerged as the top of the class. Unfortunately, all three of them are likely to be drafted in the first six picks. Pittsburgh has the ammunition to trade up, but not that far. They could reach, but that is risky. John Mateer, Sam Leavitt, Garrett Nussmeier, and Lanorris Sellers are options, but it’s unclear if they are first-round talents. 

At that point, the Steelers might be better off drafting the best available player at their pick and trading back into the first round to take a flyer. They won’t have access to the top prospects, but first-rounders aren’t guaranteed to be good quarterbacks. Rodgers sticking around to mentor the rookie would be the best-case scenario for everyone involved. 

End Of My Pittsburgh Steelers Rant

Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have found out the hard way that life is tough without a franchise quarterback. They thought they had their guy, but he was allergic to competition and improvement. Everybody isn’t as lucky as the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers. Those organizations spawn franchise quarterbacks at an alarming rate. It’s time for Pittsburgh to find theirs. 

This article first appeared on Stadium Rant and was syndicated with permission.

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