The Pittsburgh Steelers have quarterback Aaron Rodgers for no less than another season. After that, who is aware of who will exchange the four-time league MVP?
Rodgers is returning for his twenty second NFL season in 2026. Assume it is his final. The QB mentioned there’s “zero debate” he’ll return for 2027.
Rodgers sticking to his phrase would go away the Steelers with out a solution at QB in 2027. QB2 Mason Rudolph, a profession backup, is getting into the final 12 months of his contract in 2026. The workforce additionally options second-year QB Will Howard and rookie QB Drew Allar, who’re splitting third-team reps to start coaching camp. Take that as an indication Pittsburgh has little confidence in each; they might be spending time with the second workforce if they honestly believed they have been able to take over for Rodgers.
With an unclear future at QB, it is not too early for the Steelers to start exploring their choices subsequent offseason. One they need to control is Baker Mayfield, who could also be getting into his final season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Why Steelers ought to maintain tabs on Baker Mayfield
Multiple reports shared Tuesday that Mayfield will play out the final 12 months of his deal in 2026. The 2018 No. 1 total choose is ready to earn $10M this upcoming season. Spotrac estimates his market worth is a four-year deal price $53.6M yearly.
The Buccaneers would re-sign Mayfield if he rebounds from an 8-9 2025 season, through which they missed the playoffs. He appeared like an MVP candidate early final 12 months earlier than knee, shoulder and biceps points hampered him down the stretch. Regardless of the accidents, he completed tenth within the league in passing yards (3,693) and tied for seventh in passing touchdowns (26).
If the Buccaneers miss the playoffs once more subsequent season, they could enter a rebuild with out Mayfield. They might franchise-tag the QB, however taking one within the 2027 NFL Draft or investing in one other cheaper choice might make extra sense.
Pittsburgh may be curious about QB choices within 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 issue is the Steelers might not be dangerous sufficient to be in place to pick out a kind of prospects. Of their last season underneath head coach Mike Tomlin in 2025, they went 10-7 and made the playoffs. Pittsburgh may take a step again in its first season underneath new HC Mike McCarthy, however not an enormous one. As of Tuesday night, ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index initiatives the workforce’s win-loss file at 8.4-8.6.
The Steelers may strive buying and selling up within the draft if the QB lives as much as the hype, however that always leaves groups with out the sources wanted to construct round a younger QB. See the Carolina Panthers, who traded two first-round picks and extra to the Chicago Bears to maneuver up from No. 9 to No. 1 in 2023 to draft QB Bryce Younger. Carolina has made the playoffs as soon as in three seasons with Younger, 25, as its beginning QB.
It will be affordable to count on Mayfield, 31, to provide the Steelers three to 4 high quality seasons. He ranks second within the NFL in passing TDs (95) since 2023.
He would love enjoying within the AFC North, the place he may face the Cleveland Browns twice a 12 months. Cleveland, in fact, dumped Mayfield for QB Deshaun Watson earlier than the 2022 season. He may make it remorse the horrible choice much more if he joins Pittsburgh in 2027 and efficiently replaces Rodgers.
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