Leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, many believed that the Pittsburgh Steelers would be in the market for a quarterback, and potentially even in the first round, based on the work the franchise did on Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough and more.
But the Steelers waited until the sixth round of the draft to land a quarterback, drafting Ohio State’s Will Howard and snagging a quarterback they did work on as well, though one that didn’t draw as many headlines as the three previously mentioned, despite winning a national championship.
The Howard addition was widely praised based on value and fit. But yet, the Steelers are still losers coming out of the draft at the quarterback position.
At least, that’s how The Athletic’s Zak Keefer sees it. The reason for the Steelers a loser in the draft for Keefer? Well, it’s really silly. Because the Steelers lost all leverage with Aaron Rodgers.
No, really.
Because the Steelers didn’t address QB early on in the draft, Rodgers now seemingly has all the leverage in the world against the Steelers because they’re desperate, and now the organization is labeled a loser for it.
“They need him. Badly. At this point, it seems like Aaron Rodgers is the Pittsburgh Steelers’ only viable option at quarterback, unless a playoff team from a year ago is willing to rest its season on the shoulders of Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh’s selection of Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round Saturday did nothing to change this,” Keefer writes. ” The Steelers’ QB room at the moment looks like this: Rudolph, Howard and Skylar Thompson.
“Does Rodgers save them? Probably not. He’s [41]. He has regressed since rupturing his Achilles. Does he elevate them? Yes, but remember, he’d be joining a division already stacked with two perennial MVP contenders in Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, both of whom are in their prime.”
Did Keefer ever stop and think that, especially after the report from NFL insider Josina Anderson on Thursday night that the Steelers asked for an answer from Rodgers before the draft, that maybe — just maybe — Rodgers told them he is coming and now the signing of a contract is just a formality?
Probably not, and that’s how we get to the Steelers somehow being labeled losers for…losing leverage on a quarterback who has no other options outside of retiring.
Rodgers shouldn’t even be viewed as a savior. The Steelers aren’t viewing him that way, certainly. Can he help elevate the offense? Yes, if he’s healthy. The offensive line needs to protect him, and the run game needs to be better, too. The addition of rookie running back Kaleb Johnson should help the run game, and the offensive line is another year older and has some chemistry, so things should be better.
Add DK Metcalf and George Pickens at receiver with Pat Freiermuth at tight end, and the Steelers just need a quarterback who can consistently deliver the football, avoid mistakes and hit shots downfield. That’s what Rodgers can do, better than what the Steelers got last year late in the season from Russell Wilson, too.
At least, that’s the bet the Steelers are making.
Team owner Art Rooney II believes the Steelers may get word from Rodgers soon, and head coach Mike Tomlin stated near the end of the draft that he’s confident in the team’s plan at QB. The Steelers seem to have a great grasp on what is happening.
That can’t make them a loser, especially for leverage with a quarterback who has no other options besides retiring.
