Executive thinks this could be 'downfall' of Mike Tomlin's Steelers tenure

The Pittsburgh Steelers still haven't found a long-term replacement for quarterback and franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger following his retirement in January 2022. 

Most recently, Pittsburgh didn't even address its uncertain quarterback situation during the 2025 NFL Draft until the club took a flier on developmental prospect Will Howard out of Ohio State in the sixth round.

For an article produced by Mike Sando of The Athletic that was published on Thursday, one unnamed league executive suggested that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will eventually regret not taking a flier on a different signal-caller earlier in this year's player-selection process. 

"They have overcome it for a number of reasons, but ultimately it will be their downfall," the executive said about the Steelers' handling of their quarterback room over the past several years. "The guys they have drafted and signed to play with since Ben suggest they might not be very good at evaluating the position."

The Steelers spent a first-round draft pick on Kenny Pickett in the spring of 2022 but gave up on him after only two seasons. Following Pittsburgh's wild-card playoff loss this past January, the club let both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields leave via free agency. Tomlin and Co. seemingly believe Aaron Rodgers will join the organization at some point this spring, but Rodgers turns 42 years old this coming December and may no longer be able to stay healthy for an entire season. 

In the weeks and days leading up to the draft, stories linked the Steelers with Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Louisville's Tyler Shough and Alabama's Jalen Milroe. Pittsburgh could have had any one of those prospects at pick No. 21, but instead used that asset to grab Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. The Steelers also passed on drafting Milroe in the third round, and they ultimately let Sanders go to the rival Cleveland Browns at pick No. 144. 

As for Tomlin, the coach who has never had a losing season since he started his Steelers tenure in 2007, he is reportedly expected to remain safe in his job through at least the 2026 campaign. Perhaps Steelers owner and team president Art Rooney II would reevaluate the situation if Rodgers doesn't sign a contract and leaves the club stuck with longtime backup Mason Rudolph as its 2025 Week 1 QB1.