Despite the Steelers' internal expectations that negotiations with Aaron Rodgers would not be a repeat of last year, we're now just two weeks away from the start of OTAs and Rodgers has given no indication of whether or not he'll return.
This begs the question: Would it be so bad if he doesn't come back?
The benefit of bringing Rodgers back is quite obvious. While he'll turn 43 years old in December, he can still sling it and had some big performances in big games down the stretch last season, helping the Steelers win the AFC North. With Rodgers back in the fold, yes, that would put Will Howard and Drew Allar both on the bench, but that doesn't mean their development would be hindered. After all, Rodgers himself was a first-round pick and waited three years to get his chance to be a starter. And the coach that was a big part of his development, Mike McCarthy, just so happens to be the Steelers' head coach now. Plus, if Rodgers were to return, the expectation would be to compete for a division title again, creating a healthy culture of expecting to win -- something that McCarthy wants instilled here.
But, let's say Rodgers decides to retire, play for another team or the Steelers decide enough is enough and decide to move on amid his indecision. What would that look like? I'd expect Mason Rudolph to be retained and be in line as the default starter, then Omar Khan would go out and bring in another veteran so they take four quarterbacks into training camp, as the Steelers always do. Then, it's a true quarterback competition. Rudolph would get the best chance he's ever had to win a starting job.
Meanwhile, the two youngsters could give everything they have to wow McCarthy and surprise a lot of people. After all, Howard was a sixth-round pick. There isn't a long list of sixth-rounder that didn't play a single snap in their rookie year then go on to win a starting job in their second season. As for Allar, while it's unlikely, there are examples of mid-round quarterbacks coming in and winning jobs right away, either by injury and seizing their opportunity (Dak Prescott in 2016) or outright beating out other veterans (Russell Wilson in 2012).
The biggest benefit of being thrust into a season in which Rudolph, Howard or Allar end up being the starting quarterback is the Steelers would likely have a better grasp on the state of the game's most important position ahead of what's expected to be a much better quarterback class in the 2027 draft. If Howard or Allar win the starting job and prove they're good enough to be the starter for multiple season, then there's no need to go after a quarterback early in next year's draft. If neither show any promise of that, then a first-round quarterback remains a distinct possibility.
One way or another, the saga with Rodgers is coming to an end, whether that be with him finally deciding to come back and play one final season or the Steelers moving on from him. And, I have it on good authority that we're not all that far from getting an answer either from Rodgers or the team on what the state of the room will look like in 2026.
THE ASYLUM
Would it be so bad if Rodgers doesn't return?
Despite the Steelers' internal expectations that negotiations with Aaron Rodgers would not be a repeat of last year, we're now just two weeks away from the start of OTAs and Rodgers has given no indication of whether or not he'll return.
This begs the question: Would it be so bad if he doesn't come back?
The benefit of bringing Rodgers back is quite obvious. While he'll turn 43 years old in December, he can still sling it and had some big performances in big games down the stretch last season, helping the Steelers win the AFC North. With Rodgers back in the fold, yes, that would put Will Howard and Drew Allar both on the bench, but that doesn't mean their development would be hindered. After all, Rodgers himself was a first-round pick and waited three years to get his chance to be a starter. And the coach that was a big part of his development, Mike McCarthy, just so happens to be the Steelers' head coach now. Plus, if Rodgers were to return, the expectation would be to compete for a division title again, creating a healthy culture of expecting to win -- something that McCarthy wants instilled here.
But, let's say Rodgers decides to retire, play for another team or the Steelers decide enough is enough and decide to move on amid his indecision. What would that look like? I'd expect Mason Rudolph to be retained and be in line as the default starter, then Omar Khan would go out and bring in another veteran so they take four quarterbacks into training camp, as the Steelers always do. Then, it's a true quarterback competition. Rudolph would get the best chance he's ever had to win a starting job.
Meanwhile, the two youngsters could give everything they have to wow McCarthy and surprise a lot of people. After all, Howard was a sixth-round pick. There isn't a long list of sixth-rounder that didn't play a single snap in their rookie year then go on to win a starting job in their second season. As for Allar, while it's unlikely, there are examples of mid-round quarterbacks coming in and winning jobs right away, either by injury and seizing their opportunity (Dak Prescott in 2016) or outright beating out other veterans (Russell Wilson in 2012).
The biggest benefit of being thrust into a season in which Rudolph, Howard or Allar end up being the starting quarterback is the Steelers would likely have a better grasp on the state of the game's most important position ahead of what's expected to be a much better quarterback class in the 2027 draft. If Howard or Allar win the starting job and prove they're good enough to be the starter for multiple season, then there's no need to go after a quarterback early in next year's draft. If neither show any promise of that, then a first-round quarterback remains a distinct possibility.
One way or another, the saga with Rodgers is coming to an end, whether that be with him finally deciding to come back and play one final season or the Steelers moving on from him. And, I have it on good authority that we're not all that far from getting an answer either from Rodgers or the team on what the state of the room will look like in 2026.
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