As the dust settles from the 2025 NFL Draft , one storyline has quietly but powerfully taken center stage — and it revolves around a man not yet on the Pittsburgh Steelers ’ roster. Veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has remained unsigned, is reportedly inching closer to donning black and gold. Despite not officially being part of the team, his shadow loomed large over Pittsburgh’s draft war room, and all signs now point to a move that could significantly reshape the Steelers’ offensive future.
How Aaron Rodgers possibly reshaped Steelers’ draft plans without even signing the deal
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted that Pittsburgh has made Aaron Rodgers their top priority, influencing their entire draft strategy. It’s no coincidence that the franchise passed on several high-profile quarterback prospects — including Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders — in favor of talent at other positions. While the front office publicly denied that Rodgers had any bearing on their selections, their actions spoke louder than any prepared statements.
"We're still kind of getting the same signals that we've been getting recently," said team president Art Rooney II during a radio appearance with Steelers Nation Radio. “He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon.”
Rodgers is coming off a season where he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, tossing 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Despite dealing with off-field distractions and personal commitments, his performance remained sharp — a reminder that his arm talent and leadership still carry weight in the league.
Even without a deal inked, Pittsburgh's confidence in Rodgers seems unshaken. Head coach Mike Tomlin told NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, “We've had really productive talks with him, and I've enjoyed having productive talks with him and getting to know him.” That tone suggests that Rodgers’ interest is more than casual — it’s substantial enough to make Pittsburgh adjust its entire quarterback succession plan.
The 2025 NFL Draft made that clear. Passing on four rounds’ worth of signal callers — including Jalen Milroe and Sanders — the Steelers finally took a flier on Will Howard in the sixth round. Though Howard comes from a strong Ohio State pedigree, he’s viewed more as a developmental piece than a Week 1 starter. “As far as I'm concerned, it's not somebody who is going to have a big impact (this year) if we draft a quarterback," Rooney said before that pick. That quote, timed just hours before Howard’s selection, underlined their confidence that Rodgers is likely on his way.
That confidence also shapes the roster's immediate future. Mason Rudolph, the presumed starter at the moment, is hardly the franchise’s long-term solution. And while Will Howard displays potential — he completed 73% of his passes last season and has a reputation for leadership — he’ll need time to adjust to NFL speed and mechanics.
Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, offers Pittsburgh more than just veteran experience. He brings an aura of legitimacy, championship pedigree, and the ability to instantly uplift a roster full of budding stars. If the Steelers do finalize the signing, Rodgers’ influence could make Pittsburgh a genuine playoff threat — especially in a stacked AFC North.
General Manager Omar Khan tried to downplay the speculation when asked about passing on quarterbacks in the early rounds. “We got the player that we wanted,” he said after selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round. Yet, with every passing round that left a quarterback untouched, the signal grew louder: this team is banking on Rodgers.
The impact of Rodgers joining the Steelers would be profound. It wouldn't just be about filling a position — it would represent a cultural shift. It would indicate that the Steelers are not content to rebuild slowly; they’re aiming to contend, now. It’s the kind of bold move the franchise hasn’t made at quarterback since the days of Ben Roethlisberger.
Still, there remains a caveat. If, for any reason, Rodgers opts not to sign, the Steelers could find themselves scrambling with an untested rookie and a placeholder in Rudolph. But based on every sign — from Rooney’s confidence to Tomlin’s comments — the Rodgers era in Pittsburgh appears imminent.
And if it happens, that Malibu deck he’s lounging on might just have to wait — the Steel City is calling.
Also Read: Bill Belichick awkwardly addresses why Robert Kraft was left out of his new book without explanation
How Aaron Rodgers possibly reshaped Steelers’ draft plans without even signing the deal
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted that Pittsburgh has made Aaron Rodgers their top priority, influencing their entire draft strategy. It’s no coincidence that the franchise passed on several high-profile quarterback prospects — including Colorado standout Shedeur Sanders — in favor of talent at other positions. While the front office publicly denied that Rodgers had any bearing on their selections, their actions spoke louder than any prepared statements.
"We're still kind of getting the same signals that we've been getting recently," said team president Art Rooney II during a radio appearance with Steelers Nation Radio. “He does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon.”
Rodgers is coming off a season where he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, tossing 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. Despite dealing with off-field distractions and personal commitments, his performance remained sharp — a reminder that his arm talent and leadership still carry weight in the league.
Even without a deal inked, Pittsburgh's confidence in Rodgers seems unshaken. Head coach Mike Tomlin told NFL Network’s Rich Eisen, “We've had really productive talks with him, and I've enjoyed having productive talks with him and getting to know him.” That tone suggests that Rodgers’ interest is more than casual — it’s substantial enough to make Pittsburgh adjust its entire quarterback succession plan.
The 2025 NFL Draft made that clear. Passing on four rounds’ worth of signal callers — including Jalen Milroe and Sanders — the Steelers finally took a flier on Will Howard in the sixth round. Though Howard comes from a strong Ohio State pedigree, he’s viewed more as a developmental piece than a Week 1 starter. “As far as I'm concerned, it's not somebody who is going to have a big impact (this year) if we draft a quarterback," Rooney said before that pick. That quote, timed just hours before Howard’s selection, underlined their confidence that Rodgers is likely on his way.
That confidence also shapes the roster's immediate future. Mason Rudolph, the presumed starter at the moment, is hardly the franchise’s long-term solution. And while Will Howard displays potential — he completed 73% of his passes last season and has a reputation for leadership — he’ll need time to adjust to NFL speed and mechanics.
Aaron Rodgers, meanwhile, offers Pittsburgh more than just veteran experience. He brings an aura of legitimacy, championship pedigree, and the ability to instantly uplift a roster full of budding stars. If the Steelers do finalize the signing, Rodgers’ influence could make Pittsburgh a genuine playoff threat — especially in a stacked AFC North.
General Manager Omar Khan tried to downplay the speculation when asked about passing on quarterbacks in the early rounds. “We got the player that we wanted,” he said after selecting Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round. Yet, with every passing round that left a quarterback untouched, the signal grew louder: this team is banking on Rodgers.
The impact of Rodgers joining the Steelers would be profound. It wouldn't just be about filling a position — it would represent a cultural shift. It would indicate that the Steelers are not content to rebuild slowly; they’re aiming to contend, now. It’s the kind of bold move the franchise hasn’t made at quarterback since the days of Ben Roethlisberger.
Still, there remains a caveat. If, for any reason, Rodgers opts not to sign, the Steelers could find themselves scrambling with an untested rookie and a placeholder in Rudolph. But based on every sign — from Rooney’s confidence to Tomlin’s comments — the Rodgers era in Pittsburgh appears imminent.
And if it happens, that Malibu deck he’s lounging on might just have to wait — the Steel City is calling.
Also Read: Bill Belichick awkwardly addresses why Robert Kraft was left out of his new book without explanation
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