Insider reveals why Steelers aren't 'concerned' about QB situation amid Aaron Rodgers uncertainty

It appears Pittsburgh Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger is among those who root for the club and are concerned with the fact that longtime backup Mason Rudolph will likely serve as Pittsburgh's starting quarterback if Aaron Rodgers remains an unsigned free agent through the summer. 

For a piece published Wednesday, NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN addressed why Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin isn't losing sleep over who is and isn't in his quarterback room as of May 14. 

"But in talking to sources about this situation," Graziano said, "I don't get the sense the Steelers are as concerned about their quarterback room as everyone else. First of all, they remain optimistic that Rodgers will sign and be their starter, and that he'll play better than he did last season for the Jets now that he's one year further removed from his 2023 Achilles injury. Second of all, they like Rudolph and have fresh memories of him saving their 2023 season and leading them to the playoffs when 2022 first-round pick Kenny Pickett struggled."

While Rodgers largely looked like a shell of his former great self throughout much of last season, he was slowed by multiple injury setbacks during the fall months. For what it's worth, he passed for 289 yards and three touchdowns in a Week 15 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the middle of December. Rodgers later tossed four touchdown passes in New York's Week 18 win over the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5. 

Meanwhile, Rudolph reportedly has support from Pittsburgh players and coaches who remember how he guided the 2023 Steelers to three straight victories and a postseason berth late in that campaign. That said, paying customers will understandably feel better about the state of the 2025 Steelers if Rodgers and not Rudolph is atop the depth chart in September. 

"If the Steelers believe in their defense and their run game," Graziano added, "they don't think they need superstar production out of the quarterback position to have success in 2025." 

That's all well and good, as Rodgers likely won't relocate the superstar version of himself at the age of 41. However, whispers about the Steelers possibly pursuing Kirk Cousins of the Atlanta Falcons will only grow louder if Rodgers reveals at some point that he won't play for Pittsburgh later this year for whatever reason.