Pittsburgh is currently a fever dream of black and gold uncertainty. Honestly, if you told a Steelers fan two years ago that Mike Tomlin would step down and Aaron Rodgers would be the one deciding whether the franchise "rebuilds," they’d have laughed you out of Primanti’s. But here we are. It is January 2026, and the search for a Steelers potential trade quarterback isn't just a fun offseason exercise—it's a survival tactic.
The roster is too good to tank, yet the quarterback room is basically a vacant lot. Aaron Rodgers, at 42, is mulling over retirement or a return that feels increasingly unlikely now that his guy, Tomlin, is gone. Mason Rudolph is there. Will Howard is there. But neither feels like the "guy" for a franchise that hasn't had a losing season since 2003.
The Kyler Murray Rumor That Won't Die
If you’ve been scrolling through Bleacher Report or listening to local sports talk, you've heard the name Kyler Murray. It sounds wild at first. Why would the Cardinals move on from a former number-one pick?
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The reality is colder. Arizona holds the third overall pick in the 2026 draft. They are staring at a fresh start, and Murray’s contract is a massive weight. Alex Ballentine recently floated a trade package that actually makes a ton of sense: Pittsburgh sends a 2026 third-round pick and a conditional 2027 fourth (which could jump to a second based on playing time).
That’s a bargain.
Murray has his critics—mostly about his "study habits" or whatever the internet is mad about today—but the man produces. Even in a "down" year, his QBR has consistently outperformed what Rodgers gave Pittsburgh last season. For a team with a solid offensive line and a defense that still scares people, Murray’s mobility would be a cheat code. He’s the ultimate win-now button.
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Why the Mac Jones Connection Actually Makes Sense
Okay, hear me out. Mac Jones in Pittsburgh sounds like a nightmare to some, but look at the context. Jones just spent a year in the "Kyle Shanahan School of Quarterback Rehabilitation" in San Francisco. He looked... good. He completed nearly 70% of his passes while filling in for an injured Brock Purdy and went 5-3 as a starter.
The Steelers are currently interviewing Klay Kubiak, the 49ers' offensive coordinator, for their head coaching vacancy.
If Kubiak gets the job, don't be shocked if he brings his project with him. Jones is under contract for 2026 with a cap hit of about $2.3 million. That is pennies in NFL terms. The 49ers would likely want a Day 2 pick, maybe a third-rounder, to let him go. It's not the "sexy" trade, but it's the efficient one. It buys the front office time to find a long-term franchise savior without throwing away the 2026 season.
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The High-Risk Gambles: Richardson and Tagovailoa
Then there's the "swing for the fences" tier.
- Anthony Richardson: Rumors out of Indianapolis suggest the Colts might be ready to move on after his inconsistency and injury history. He’s 23. He has an absolute cannon for an arm. If the Steelers feel their culture can fix his mechanics, he’s the highest-upside trade target on the board.
- Tua Tagovailoa: This one is messy. Miami benched him for Quinn Ewers late in 2025. Tua has openly said a fresh start would be "dope," but his $54 million cap hit for 2026 is a giant roadblock. Unless Miami eats a massive chunk of that salary, it’s hard to see the Steelers biting.
The 2026 Draft Problem
Why trade at all? Why not just draft a kid?
Because the 2026 QB class is, frankly, underwhelming. Outside of Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore—who will both be gone by the time Pittsburgh picks—there isn't a surefire Day 1 starter.
Drafting Miami’s Carson Beck or Alabama’s Ty Simpson in the middle of the first round feels like reaching. Most analysts, including Jack Sperry, think the Steelers should use those early picks to fix the secondary and the receiving corps. If you can’t get a generational talent at quarterback, you trade for a veteran who can at least steer the ship.
What Happens Next
The first domino is the head coach. If the Steelers hire a defensive-minded coach, expect them to lean toward a "safe" trade like Mac Jones or even a run at a free agent like Malik Willis. If they go offensive-heavy, they might get aggressive for Kyler Murray.
Actionable Insights for Steelers Fans:
- Watch the coaching hire: If it’s Klay Kubiak, start looking up Mac Jones highlights.
- Keep an eye on March 15: That’s when Kyler Murray’s 2027 guarantees kick in. If a trade happens, it’ll likely be before then.
- Don't expect a Round 1 QB: The draft capital is better spent elsewhere if a trade for a veteran can be secured for a mid-round pick.
The Steelers are "loading up" for 2026 with extra compensatory picks from losing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields last year. They have the ammo. Now they just need the target.