It is early 2026 and the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a bit of a tailspin. Honestly, if you’re looking for a simple name to put on a jersey, it’s Aaron Rodgers, but that answer comes with a massive asterisk. The 42-year-old veteran just finished leading the team through a rollercoaster 2025 season that ended with a thud—a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans.
Now, everything is up in the air.
Rodgers started 16 games this past season. He brought some of that old Green Bay magic back, helping Pittsburgh clinch the AFC North for the first time in five years. But age is a cruel mistress. By the time the playoffs rolled around, the efficiency had dipped, and he looked every bit like a quarterback in his 40s. Following the loss to Houston, Rodgers hasn't committed to coming back for 2026. He’s a free agent, and with Mike Tomlin officially out as head coach, the lure of staying in Pittsburgh has weakened significantly.
The Current Depth Chart: Who Is Actually Under Contract?
If Rodgers walks away or the new coaching staff decides to move in a "younger" direction, the cupboard isn't exactly bare, but it’s definitely not full of Pro Bowlers.
👉 See also: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Mason Rudolph is still here. It feels like he's been the "bridge" to nowhere for a decade, doesn't it? He stepped in for one start in 2025 when Rodgers was banged up and remains the primary backup. Then you have Will Howard, the rookie the Steelers grabbed in the sixth round of the 2025 draft out of Ohio State. Howard is an interesting case. He won a national title with the Buckeyes and was the Offensive MVP in that game, but he spent most of his rookie NFL season on Injured Reserve after a hand fracture in August.
The team also has Skylar Thompson on the roster, though he's currently on IR with a hamstring issue. Basically, if the season started tomorrow and Rodgers was gone, you'd be looking at a training camp battle between a veteran backup and a second-year project.
What Happened to Russell Wilson and Justin Fields?
You might remember the 2024 season when the Steelers took a flyer on both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. It was a bold experiment that, frankly, didn't pay off for the long term. Both players are gone.
✨ Don't miss: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
The Steelers chose not to re-sign either of them before the 2025 season. Fields ended up with the Jets, where he struggled, and Wilson landed with the Giants. The irony is that by letting them walk, the Steelers are now projected to have a haul of compensatory picks in the 2026 draft. They effectively turned a mediocre QB room into draft capital.
Why the 2026 Starting Job Is Such a Headache
The Steelers are currently searching for a new head coach. That person is going to want "their guy." Mark Madden and other local analysts have pointed out that getting the QB right is the only thing that matters for this next hire.
There is a lot of chatter about Malik Willis. He’s currently the backup in Green Bay, but he’ll be a free agent soon. He had a massive game against Baltimore late last year, throwing for nearly 300 yards and rushing for two scores. He’s 26, mobile, and represents the "modern" NFL quarterback that Pittsburgh has lacked since... well, maybe ever.
🔗 Read more: Why the March Madness 2022 Bracket Still Haunts Your Sports Betting Group Chat
Then there's the draft. The 2026 class is widely considered weak by scouts. Outside of Fernando Mendoza from Indiana—who is likely going #1 overall to the Raiders—there isn't a "sure thing" prospect. Names like Ty Simpson from Alabama are being floated as potential late first-round targets for Pittsburgh, but taking a rookie is always a gamble.
The Realistic Options for the 2026 Opener
- The Rodgers Return: If the new coach convinces him to stay, Rodgers is the starter. He’s still better than most backups, even at 42.
- The Free Agent Splash: Trading for or signing a guy like Malik Willis or even overpaying for a veteran stopgap.
- The Draft Gamble: Taking Ty Simpson or another mid-tier prospect and letting them compete with Will Howard.
- The "Mason" Year: Starting Mason Rudolph while a rookie sits and learns. (Steelers fans might riot, but it's a possibility).
Navigating the Uncertainty
The Steelers haven't had this much instability at the position since the pre-Ben Roethlisberger era. They are stuck between trying to win now with an aging legend and needing to find a franchise cornerstone for the next decade.
For fans, the next few months are going to be a blur of combine reports, coaching interviews, and Aaron Rodgers' Instagram posts. Until a new coach is in the building, any "official" depth chart is written in pencil.
If you’re tracking this for your fantasy roster or just out of loyalty to the Black and Gold, keep a close eye on the March 9 free agency deadline. That’s when the Malik Willis sweepstakes begin and when we’ll likely know if Rodgers is hanging them up for good.
Next Steps for Steelers Fans:
- Monitor the head coaching search; a defensive-minded coach might favor a "game manager," while an offensive guru will likely demand a high-ceiling rookie.
- Watch Malik Willis' status in Green Bay.
- Check the 2026 Draft Order after the Super Bowl to see if the Steelers have the leverage to move up for a top-tier prospect.