Is there a QB who can lead the Steelers to a playoff win this season?
The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a critical crossroads when it comes to the quarterback position. With AFC North rivals building around elite passers, Head Coach Mike Tomlin and his staff are under pressure to find both stability and leadership under center.
The current depth chart offers a possible solution in Mason Rudolph, but the front office is actively exploring additional options. Whether the answer lies in free agency, trade, or the 2025 NFL Draft, the decisions made in the coming months could define the team’s playoff hopes.
Mason Rudolph’s return to Pittsburgh
Mason Rudolph may not have started the 2023 season as the Steelers’ first option, but he finished it as the most reliable. Thrust into action for the final three games of the regular season, Rudolph delivered efficiency, poise, and results. He completed 68% of his pass attempts, significantly outperforming the team’s season average.
With an average of 236 passing yards per game—well above the team’s 186.1-yard season mark—he stabilized the offense when it mattered most. Rudolph threw five touchdowns against just one interception across that three-game stretch and even started in the Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills.
Rudolph spent last season with the Tennessee Titans, who finished as the worst team in football. Despite a 1-4 record in five starts, these performances were enough to earn Rudolph a two-year, $7.5 million deal to return to Pittsburgh: a sign of the team’s belief in his potential to compete for the starting job.
Coach Tomlin went on record at the annual league meetings, saying he feels “comfortable” with Rudolph as a starter. Following a year away, Rudolph’s return brings both familiarity and a small sample of recent success.
The Aaron Rodgers possibility
Aaron Rodgers remains one of the most iconic signal-callers of the last two decades. No longer tied to the New York Jets, speculation has circled around Rodgers in connection with teams needing leadership.
What he brings is more than just arm talent—it’s gravitas in the locker room, elite command of offensive schemes, and championship experience. Rodgers has consistently demonstrated the ability to read defenses pre-snap, make in-game adjustments, and control tempo in ways that only Hall of Fame-caliber quarterbacks can.
In a young offense rebuilding its line, having a field general with Rodgers’ IQ would instantly elevate the team’s discipline and execution. The question becomes whether or not a 41-year-old quarterback can beat the odds of a player his age and continue playing at a high level.
Looking Toward the 2025 NFL Draft
If the Steelers prefer a developmental approach, targeting a quarterback in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft could provide a long-term solution. Names like Jalen Milroe, Shedeur Sanders, and Jaxson Dart could bring dynamic playmaking potential to Arthur Smith’s offense.
Each passer possesses unique traits—Milroe’s athleticism and mobility, Sanders’ calm under pressure and anticipation, Dart’s arm strength and deep-ball accuracy. Choosing a rookie means investing in the future, building chemistry with emerging weapons, and hoping for a gradual rise rather than an immediate playoff push.
Offensive line issues complicate the quarterback equation as the Steelers’ line continues to be a work in progress. Pass protection breakdowns can derail the development of younger players or relegate veterans into survival mode.
Any quarterback acquisition must be viewed through the lens of how they’ll operate behind this unit. Veteran QBs like Rodgers, Cousins, or Tannehill have the awareness and quick decision-making to minimize pressure damage. A rookie or a less-experienced QB may not fare as well when under constant duress.
Kirk Cousins as a proven commodity
Kirk Cousins represents one of the most dependable veterans who could be available via trade. Known for his ability to operate efficiently in play-action-heavy offenses, Cousins could be a logical fit in a scheme like Smith’s that emphasizes ball control and calculated risks.
He brings a high football IQ, strong leadership presence, and a deep résumé of starting experience, including multiple playoff appearances. His ability to execute in tight windows and keep a calm presence in the pocket makes him a steadying force.
Cousins could offer the perfect bridge between now and any long-term rookie development plan, giving Pittsburgh a legitimate shot at competing in a brutal AFC North.
Exploring veteran options
It’s slim pickings after Matthew Stafford re-upped with the Los Angeles Rams. While Kirk Cousins appears to be the only viable trade option, a number of other veteran quarterbacks could become available as teams build and trim their rosters throughout the summer. The names aren’t glamorous, but options such as Andy Dalton, Tyrod Taylor, and Jimmy Garoppolo give the Steelers experienced alternatives without a long-term financial commitment.
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco continues to be linked to the team by media analysts citing Tomlin’s preference of rostering a veteran backup. The 40-year-old former Super Bowl MVP has bounced around the league since playing for the rival Baltimore Ravens, but remains one of the most respected backups in the NFL, capable of stepping in without disrupting a locker room. Fanatics Sportsbook promo NC may start reflecting the odds shift depending on which QB direction the Steelers choose.
Ryan Tannehill is another veteran free agent whose leadership traits and experience in multiple offensive systems make him a candidate worth serious consideration.
Though past his prime, Tannehill still brings mobility, toughness, and the ability to manage games effectively. He’s familiar with Arthur Smith’s system and was linked to Pittsburgh last offseason but spent the year out of football. He is familiar with offenses that blend run-pass balance and could be an effective placeholder while the Steelers reinforce their offensive line and assess long-term options. His professionalism and locker-room leadership would align well with Tomlin’s culture, offering a steady hand in a division filled with elite quarterbacks.
Each of these players could provide a short-term stopgap if the team doesn’t feel confident in Rudolph but also wants to avoid the high-dollar risk of a major free-agent signing.
The AFC North gauntlet
Competing in the AFC North means facing Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and perhaps, Deshaun Watson, multiple times per year. All three have Pro Bowl talent and postseason résumés.
For Pittsburgh to remain viable in this division, they can’t afford mediocrity at quarterback. While their defense remains formidable, the offense must match that intensity. It’s not just about managing games—it’s about making plays when needed.
The Steelers’ next quarterback must be able to go toe-to-toe in shootouts and clutch situations, especially in divisional battles that often determine playoff seeding.
The Steelers were a playoff team in 2023 with Mason Rudolph stepping in late. That says something about the team’s overall foundation. With T.J. Watt anchoring the defense and a core of skill players ready to blossom, quarterback is the last piece to elevate the team from playoff fringe to postseason threat.
Choosing the right signal-caller—whether Rudolph, a veteran, or a rookie—could unlock that next tier. The question is whether the Steelers will lean into stability, upside, or pure experience to make that leap.
Final thoughts on the quarterback dilemma
Every move has cap implications, and the Steelers have already committed $7.5 million over two years to Mason Rudolph. That’s not elite-starter money, but it’s enough to suggest they’re giving him a real shot.
Acquiring a high-priced veteran like Cousins or Rodgers would likely come at the cost of depth elsewhere. A cheaper option, such as a draft pick or sticking with Rudolph, might allow Pittsburgh to strengthen the talent around the quarterback. The decision isn’t just about who’s best—it’s about who fits within a complete team-building philosophy.
The Steelers can’t afford to get this wrong. With a defense built to win now and offensive playmakers ready to emerge, the quarterback they choose will define their ceiling in 2024. Mason Rudolph has earned a look, but competition is necessary.
Whether it’s a respected veteran like Kirk Cousins, a wild card like Aaron Rodgers, a trade target like Jimmy Garoppolo, or a young stud from the 2025 draft class like Jaxson Dart, the Steelers need a QB who brings clarity, confidence, and leadership. The AFC North waits for no one—and Pittsburgh’s next move will either reestablish them as contenders or extend their stay in limbo.
