A prominent NFL insider notes the Steelers have done extensive quarterback homework, including at the first-round level, but are unlikely to draft a quarterback at No. 21. The prevailing plan is to add the best available player, rather than force a quarterback pick, especially if Aaron Rodgers remains a possibility elsewhere.
Rodgers should be the team’s focus at quarterback this season if he returns, given his age and recent injury history. He posted 25 total touchdowns to seven interceptions and a 94.8 passer rating in 2025, guiding the Steelers to a 10-6 record and their first division title in five years. The hiring of Mike McCarthy—Rodgers’ longtime Green Bay coach—further solidifies the offensive alignment and potential benefits of continuity.
The Steelers also own a developing quarterback option in Will Howard and a veteran backup in Mason Rudolph, reducing the urgency to add a rookie signal-caller. If Rodgers comes back, adding a top-impact non-QB at No. 21—whether at wide receiver, along the offensive line, on the defensive line, or in the secondary—could help address several roster gaps without creating a QB room logjam.
In summary, Pittsburgh enters the draft with a clear approach: resist forcing a quarterback at No. 21 and use the 12 picks to bolster surrounding talent around Rodgers (assuming his return) and to strengthen depth across offense and defense. The combination of Rodgers’ presence, McCarthy’s offensive acumen, and a deep draft class could position the Steelers to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term development.
