The Pittsburgh Steelers are reconsidering their patience with Aaron Rodgers as uncertainty looms over his return for a 22nd season. With a new head coach, the team is exploring 10 potential quarterback options for 2026.
Key points
Pittsburgh Steelers are exploring QB options for 2026
Aaron Rodgers' return is uncertain due to his age
New head coach Mike McCarthy is familiar with Rodgers
Steelers' patience with Rodgers may be wearing thin
Team may need to consider alternatives if Rodgers doesn't return
Mentioned in this story
Aaron RodgersGreen Bay PackersMike McCarthy
Pittsburgh Steelers
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Last year, the Pittsburgh Steelers were willing to be extremely patient, waiting out Aaron Rodgersā career decision. This year, weāve seen a similar story play out in Pittsburgh, but now that they have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy, even if heās familiar with Rodgers from their time together in Green Bay, is the teamās leadership getting nervous?
Rodgers is 42. Heās already played 21 seasons; thereās no guarantee heās itching to come back for a 22nd. What if Rodgers leaves the Packers high and dry this time?
Recently, Pittsburgh Post-Gazetteās Steelers insider Gerry Dulac suggested that the teamās patience ācould be starting to wear thinā in relation to Rodgers. Thus, if for some reason Rodgers and the Steelers didnāt re-align later this offseason, which quarterback could Pittsburgh turn to instead? Here are 10 potential QB options for the Steelers in 2026.
What are the Pittsburgh Steelers' options for quarterbacks in 2026?
The Steelers are considering 10 potential quarterback options for the 2026 season.
Why is the Steelers' patience with Aaron Rodgers wearing thin?
The Steelers' patience is waning due to Rodgers' age and uncertainty about his desire to return for another season.
Who is the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers?
The new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers is Mike McCarthy.
What is Aaron Rodgers' current status with the Green Bay Packers?
Aaron Rodgers is 42 years old and has played 21 seasons, with no guarantee of returning for a 22nd season.
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NFL: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers
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There have been suggestions that Jimmy Garoppolo is weighing retirement at the age of 34. He hasnāt found a new home in free agency after spending the past three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Yet, this is a player who has played extremely well, playing winning football to the tune of a 43-21 regular season record and 4-2 in the playoffs. He may not have a strong arm, but the Steelers may view him as a better version of Mason Rudolph. Plus, heād cost less than Rodgers.
Largely forgotten about since the Tennessee Titans made Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Will Levis was someone who once showed a lot of promise. The 33rd overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is still just 26 years old, and he has as lively an arm as any other option. He also has great size, at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds. Levis just hasnāt been accurate enough, but after spending last season on injured reserve after a shoulder injury, weād expect him to be extremely eager to get back on the field and compete. He could likely be had for nothing more than a fifth-round pick.
Given a chance to showcase his skill set when C.J. Stroud missed three games due to injury, Mills led the Houston Texans to three inspiring wins. Some even wondered if the 27-year-old former third-round pick should replace Stroud when the Texansā franchise QB struggled. Due to how much he helped the Texans last season, Houston may be hesitant to part with him. Yet, considering Mills is headed into the final year of his contract, a trade wouldnāt cost anything more than a Day 3 pick.
The Vikings will never admit it, but they may be ready to move on from J.J. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Otherwise, the Vikings wouldnāt have brought in such a proven player in Kyler Murray, who may now be the teamās franchise QB. McCarthyās NFL career has gotten off to a rough start after missing his entire rookie season with a knee injury, but the former first-round pick also flashed elite leadership qualities while making some clutch plays. The question is, are the Steelers willing to put their entire season on the shoulders of a 23-year-old with 10 career starts?
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A player who has displayed superstar potential with a rocket arm and electric athleticism, can Anthony Richardson put it all together, becoming more consistently accurate while staying healthy? He plays with such a reckless demeanor that will get the locker room fired up, but it also opens a player whoās been healthy for just 17 games in the past three seasons to more injuries. Either way, the Steelers have to be intrigued with the 23-year-old former No. 4 overall pickās star potential, but heād require a trade too.
Did Jacoby Brissett experience a career renaissance at the age of 33 last season? Itās an interesting question. While he only led the Arizona Cardinals to a 1-11 record, Brissett completed a career-high 64.9% of his passes for a career-high 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions across 12 starts. Can that play be replicated in a new system elsewhere? After requesting a pay increase from the $4.8 million salary heās set to make in 2026, Brissett is at odds with the Cardinals. After Arizona signed Gardner Minshew and selected Carson Beck in the third round, Brissett could potentially be available for a Day 3 draft pick in 2027.
Set to reprise his role as Jaxson Dartās primary backup QB in 2026, thereās a chance that Jameis Winston could be had for the right price. The former No. 1 overall pick has shown that heās an excellent fit in any locker room, but heās also plenty capable too. Now 32, not only has Winston matured, he still has one of the strongest arms in the NFL, which would play well outdoors in Pittsburgh.
NFL: NFC Divisional Round-San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
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The former first-round pick quickly wore out his welcome in New England, but Mac Jones has turned around his career since getting a chance to play for Kyle Shanahan and the San Francisco 49ers. He was a key component in helping the 49ers return to the playoffs, thanks to leading them to a 5-3 record, completing 69.6% of his passes for 2,151 yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions. If the Steelers think the soon-to-be 28-year-oldās play can be sustained, then they could find their long-term starter for something like a Day 2 selection in 2027.
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Also considering retirement so he can become the latest athlete to cash in on a lucrative career in NFL broadcasting, weād imagine Russell Wilson would much rather be a starting quarterback this year instead. However, the Steelers have already been here with Wilson. Did they only move on because they believed Rodgers was an upgrade? Was there a disagreement with coach Mike Tomlin, or did Wilson just not want to be there anymore? Still an unsigned free agent, the Steelers may not feel like they have another choice, and barring a trade, Wilson is the best player available.
Retired, Derek Carr reportedly was willing to return to the NFL this season if he could join a playoff contender. Weād argue that the Steelers fit that criteria. However, if he did unretire, heād still be under contract with the New Orleans Saints. However, since theyāre moving forward with Tyler Shough, itās possible the Saints would simply release Carr and allow him to play football again, or perhaps even trade him for a Day 2 or a combination of Day 3 picks.
