Steelers should keep tabs on Baker Mayfield in wake of Aaron Rodgers comments

The Pittsburgh Steelers have quarterback Aaron Rodgers for at least one more season. After that, who knows who will replace the four-time league MVP? 

Rodgers is returning for his 22nd NFL season in 2026. Assume it's his last. The QB said there's "zero debate" he'll return for 2027. 

Rodgers sticking to his word would leave the Steelers without an answer at QB in 2027. QB2 Mason Rudolph, a career backup, is entering the last year of his contract in 2026. The team also features second-year QB Will Howard and rookie QB Drew Allar, who are splitting third-team reps to begin training camp. Take that as a sign Pittsburgh has little confidence in both; they would be spending time with the second team if they truly believed they were ready to take over for Rodgers. 

With an unclear future at QB, it's not too early for the Steelers to begin exploring their options next offseason. One they should keep an eye on is Baker Mayfield, who may be entering his last season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Why Steelers should keep tabs on Baker Mayfield 

Multiple reports shared Tuesday that Mayfield will play out the last year of his deal in 2026. The 2018 No. 1 overall pick is set to earn $10M this upcoming season. Spotrac estimates his market value is a four-year deal worth $53.6M annually. 

The Buccaneers would re-sign Mayfield if he rebounds from an 8-9 2025 season, in which they missed the playoffs. He looked like an MVP candidate early last year before knee, shoulder and biceps issues hampered him down the stretch. Despite the injuries, he finished 10th in the league in passing yards (3,693) and tied for seventh in passing touchdowns (26).

If the Buccaneers miss the playoffs again next season, they may enter a rebuild without Mayfield. They could franchise-tag the QB, but taking one in the 2027 NFL Draft or investing in another cheaper option may make more sense. 

Pittsburgh could also be interested in QB options in the 2027 draft. The QB class is headlined by Arch Manning (Texas Longhorns), Dante Moore (Oregon Ducks) and CJ Carr (Notre Dame Fighting Irish).

The problem is the Steelers may not be bad enough to be in position to select one of those prospects. In their final season under head coach Mike Tomlin in 2025, they went 10-7 and made the playoffs. Pittsburgh could take a step back in its first season under new HC Mike McCarthy, but not a big one. As of Tuesday night, ESPN's Football Power Index projects the team's win-loss record at 8.4-8.6. 

The Steelers could try trading up in the draft if the QB lives up to the hype, but that often leaves teams without the resources needed to build around a young QB. See the Carolina Panthers, who traded two first-round picks and more to the Chicago Bears to move up from No. 9 to No. 1 in 2023 to draft QB Bryce Young. Carolina has made the playoffs once in three seasons with Young, 25, as its starting QB. 

It would be reasonable to expect Mayfield, 31, to give the Steelers three to four quality seasons. He ranks second in the NFL in passing TDs (95) since 2023. 

He would love playing in the AFC North, where he could face the Cleveland Browns twice a year. Cleveland, of course, dumped Mayfield for QB Deshaun Watson before the 2022 season. He could make it regret the terrible decision even more if he joins Pittsburgh in 2027 and successfully replaces Rodgers.