Honestly, if you told a Steelers fan two years ago that the 2025 season would end with Aaron Rodgers dejectedly walking off a playoff field in black and gold, they’d have asked what was in your Iron City beer. But here we are. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks 2025 situation turned into one of the wildest experiments in the history of the franchise. It was a "win-now" gamble that felt more like a "survive-now" strategy.
Let's be real: the post-Ben Roethlisberger era hasn't been a smooth ride. It's been a bumpy road of bridge starters and "what-if" prospects. But 2025? That was something else entirely. After the Russell Wilson and Justin Fields experiment hit a dead end, Omar Khan went for the biggest name on the board. He brought in a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers to save the day.
It worked. Sorta.
The Aaron Rodgers Experiment: Was It Worth It?
When Rodgers signed that one-year, $19.5 million deal in the summer of 2025, the city was split. Half the fans were ready for a Super Bowl parade, and the other half were worried about his calf muscles. He finished the regular season with 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns. For a team that struggled to find the end zone with a map in previous years, that was a godsend.
But age is a thief. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the mobility just wasn't there. The Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans—a 30-6 drubbing—was a cold shower for everyone. Rodgers looked every bit of 42 in that game. He went 17-of-33 for a measly 146 yards. No touchdowns. Just a lot of grass-stained jerseys and frustrated looks toward the sideline.
Now, with Mike Tomlin officially moving on from the organization, the "Tomlin-Rodgers" alliance is over. It leaves the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks 2025 roster in a state of absolute flux as we head into 2026.
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Who Else Was in the Room?
It wasn't just the Rodgers show, though it felt like it. The depth chart had some familiar faces and a few "who is that?" names.
- Mason Rudolph: The ultimate survivor. He was back again as the primary backup, earning roughly $2.8 million. He's like that old pair of boots you can't throw away because they still work in the snow.
- Will Howard: The sixth-round rookie out of Ohio State. He spent most of the year holding a clipboard, but he’s the one guy on the roster with a National Title ring from his college days.
- Skylar Thompson: Brought in as a depth piece, mostly seeing time on the practice squad or as an emergency third-stringer.
The dynamic was weird. You had a future Hall of Famer at the top, a career backup in the middle, and a developmental kid at the bottom. There was no "middle ground" player—no young starter to bridge the gap.
Breaking Down the 2025 QB Room Costs
While most people look at the stats, Omar Khan was looking at the cap hits. The Steelers entered the year with a decent amount of space, but the Rodgers deal ate up a chunk.
- Aaron Rodgers: $14.15 million cap hit (incentives made the actual cash higher).
- Mason Rudolph: $2.88 million.
- Will Howard: $712,411.
- Skylar Thompson: $603,542.
That is actually a very "Steelers" way to manage a room. They didn't overpay for the backup, and they got the starter on what was essentially a one-year rental. But rentals have to be returned, and right now, the cupboard looks pretty bare.
The Justin Fields and Russell Wilson Hangover
We have to talk about how we got here. The 2024 season was supposed to be the "battle of the reclamation projects." Russell Wilson was the vet; Justin Fields was the future. It didn't stick.
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Wilson struggled with injuries and eventually lost his last five starts in Pittsburgh. Fields showed flashes—going 4-2 as a starter at one point—but the consistency just wasn't there. The team decided not to pick up the options or extensions. By the time 2025 kicked off, both were gone. Wilson ended up with the Giants (where he also struggled), and the Steelers were left searching.
This is the cycle fans are tired of. It's a constant search for "competent" play rather than "elite" play.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Draft
There’s this idea that the Steelers "passed" on a franchise guy in the 2025 draft to take Will Howard late. In reality, that draft class was viewed as incredibly top-heavy. By the time Pittsburgh picked, the "sure things" were gone.
Taking Howard in the sixth round wasn't about finding a 2025 starter. It was about taking a flyer on a guy who knows how to win. He’s 6’4”, 235 pounds, and has a decent arm. Is he the next franchise savior? Probably not. But in a room full of aging vets, he was the only thing representing a "future."
The "Kenny Pickett Route" Fear
There is a massive fear in the front office about reaching for a quarterback again. The Kenny Pickett era left a scar. The team is hyper-aware of the 2026 draft class being labeled as "weak" by experts like Dane Brugler.
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They don't want to overpay a guy like Malik Willis in free agency, but they also don't want to draft a mid-tier prospect just because they need a body. It's a "rock and a hard place" situation.
The 2026 Pivot: Where Do They Go Now?
As the 2025 season fades, the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks 2025 era is officially over. Rodgers is at a career crossroads, contemplating retirement after Tom Brady-esque comments about the "grind" of the game. If he walks, the Steelers have zero proven starters under contract.
Rumors are already flying about Anthony Richardson. The former first-round pick has had a rocky start in Indianapolis, but the "physical tools" are exactly what the Steelers lack. Imagine Richardson behind a line featuring Troy Fautanu and Zach Frazier. It’s a low-risk, high-reward move that feels like the polar opposite of the Rodgers signing.
Actionable Insights for the Offseason
If you’re following this team, here is what you actually need to watch over the next few months. These aren't just rumors; they are the financial and structural realities of the team.
- The Head Coach Hire: The next QB will be chosen by the new coach. If they hire a defensive mind like Brian Flores, expect a "safe" veteran. If they go with an offensive mind like Nate Scheelhaase, expect a move for a young, mobile guy like Richardson or a draft trade-up.
- The Rodgers Decision: If Rodgers stays, he likely wants a voice in the roster building. If he leaves, the Steelers save nearly $15 million in cap space immediately, but they have a massive hole to fill.
- Free Agency Tier 2: Keep an eye on names like Sam Darnold or even a return of someone like Justin Fields if the market is cold. The Steelers need a "bridge" because they can't trust a rookie in 2026.
- Draft Strategy: Look for the Steelers to prioritize "Best Player Available" in the first round rather than reaching for a QB. They’ve seen what reaching does to a franchise.
The 2025 season was a wild ride, but it didn't provide the long-term answer at the most important position in sports. The Steelers are still searching for the ghost of Ben Roethlisberger, and the 2026 offseason is going to be even more chaotic than the last one.
Next Steps for Fans: Monitor the NFL Scouting Combine results for late-risers in the QB class, as the Steelers' current draft position makes a move for a top-three prospect unlikely without a massive trade. Additionally, keep an eye on the "Dead Cap" numbers; if Rodgers retires, the team will need to navigate specific acceleration clauses in his contract that could impact their ability to sign top-tier free agents in March.