Steelers Floated as Potential Landing Spot for Former Top 10, First-Round QB

The Pittsburgh Steelers landed the quarterback they eventually decided they wanted — Aaron Rodgers. It took a couple months for him to sign, but Rodgers will be the team’s leader behind center in 2025.

Yet, the merry-go-round at quarterback will continue for the Steelers. Rodgers strongly suggested during an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on Tuesday that 2025 will be his final NFL season.

Rodgers will be the fifth different starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in Week 1 of the 2025 season. Unless Rodgers changes his mind on retirement, and the Steelers elect to bring him back, the team will have yet another different starting signal caller in 2026.

On Tuesday, ESPN’s Brooke Pryor explored the possibility of Pittsburgh’s 2026 starter being either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones.

“Former first-round pick Daniel Jones, who signed a one-year deal in Indianapolis, is the best available free agent of the 2026 class so far,” Pryor wrote. “Other quarterbacks, though, could become available in releases or trades.

“Anthony Richardson Sr., Indianapolis’ other quarterback and its 2023 first-round pick, is competing with Jones for the starting job. Whoever comes in second could be available.”

Both Richardson and Jones are former top 10 quarterbacks from their respective draft classes.

The Indianapolis Colts selected Richardson at No. 4 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Jones was the No. 6 pick for the New York Giants in 2019.

Would the Steelers Consider Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones?

It seems a bit odd to suggest the Steelers will elect to target whoever doesn’t win a quarterback competition between two mediocre signal-callers. But nothing should surprise Steelers Nation anymore behind center in Pittsburgh.

Over the past 15 months, the Steelers have signed two former Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. The team also acquired Justin Fields, who the Chicago Bears selected at No. 11 overall in 2021.

In all likelihood, the Steelers are going to target a quarterback in the first round next season. The team also has backup Mason Rudolph under contract for 2026, so they won’t need Richardson or Jones to push or mentor a rookie.

But the Steelers have left no stone unturned in their search for a long-term answer behind center. So, kicking the tires on either Richardson or Jones isn’t an outrageous projection.

Richardson has tremendous athleticism, but injuries have stunted his development. In 15 NFL starts, he owns an 8-7 record with a 50.6% completion percentage, 11 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Jones is a one-hit wonder through the first six NFL seasons of his career. He led the Giants to a 9-6-1 mark and a playoff victory during 2022. In that campaign, he tossed 15 touchdowns versus only five interceptions and ran for 708 yards with seven additional scores.

But Jones is 15-38 as a starting quarterback in his other five seasons combined. The Giants released him midseason last year.

Why the Steelers Aren’t Likely to Target Richardson or Jones

Again, any possibility is on the table for the Steelers behind quarterback, at this summer for the purposes of fun hypothetical stories in the media.

But the likelihood the Steelers target Richardson or Jones in free agency is rather slim. Even Pryor didn’t seem to see it as the top option next spring.

Pryor argued Tuesday that Rodgers’ retirement decision gives the Steelers ample time to scout next year’s draft class. The 2026 draft is also in Pittsburgh, so the Steelers could choose their next franchise quarterback in front of a home crowd in April.

If that’s not an option, the Steelers will be forced to turn to free agency another season. But again, the runner-up in the Colts quarterback competition hardly feels like a great option for the Steelers in 2026.

Not after the past two offseasons Pittsburgh found ways to land former Super Bowl winners at discounted prices.

Because of Pryor’s suggestion, it can’t be ruled out. But it’s not a likely scenario to occur.