Ben Roethlisberger mentions familiar name as veteran QB option for Steelers 

With uncertainty surrounding what the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to do at quarterback, both for 2026 and into the future, a legend brought up a familiar name as a possible option. 

During an appearance on the "Deebo and Joe Podcast" on Tuesday, Ben Roethlisberger mentioned one of his former teammates as someone the Steelers should sign if Aaron Rodgers decides to retire and not return to Pittsburgh for another season. 

Instead of a veteran name with more star power, Roethlisberger wants to see Josh Dobbs back in Pittsburgh. 

Ben Roethlisberger wants Josh Dobbs to get a shot with the Steelers 

"Here's something I would consider that happened recently. Josh Dobbs just got released by New England. I would strongly, if Aaron [Rodgers] doesn't come back, I'd love to bring a veteran guy in like Dobbs, who has been here. Obviously new stream, not the same coaching staff," Roethlisberger said. 

While most are bringing up bigger names like Kirk Cousins or Mac Jones, Roethlisberger, who put together a Hall of Fame career for the Steelers, seems fine with giving Dobbs a shot. 

Signing Dobbs, 31, would be a risk. It would be relying on a career NFL journeyman backup to be able to handle leading a team through an entire season. 

Dobbs spent the first two years of his career with the Steelers after being selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Tennessee. The Steelers traded Dobbs to the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2019 season. He then returned for two more years from 2020-21. 

Josh Dobbs has yet to receive a true chance to be an NFL starter 

But after leaving Pittsburgh for the second time, Dobbs has bounced around, including a couple stints on practice squads, with the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers and Patriots. 

Never really receiving much of a chance to be more than just a backup aside from being elevated due to an injury, Dobbs has thrown for 3,346 yards, completed 62.8 percent of his passes and thrown 17 touchdowns to 15 interceptions, providing solid play when on the field. 

He's also run for 515 yards and scored eight touchdowns on the ground, showing a dual-threat ability as a true athlete. 

Despite Roethlisberger's endorsement and Mike McCarthy's track record of getting the most out of quarterbacks, it's unlikely most Steelers fans would be too excited about Dobbs enjoying a third tenure with the Steelers, at least not as the possible 2026 starter. If Rodgers doesn't comeback, the expectation is they could turn to 2025 draft pick Will Howard ahead of handing the ball to any rookie they may draft in April.