Overview
- Aaron Rodgers is still a free agent and has not said if he will return to Pittsburgh, with team president Art Rooney II seeking clarity before the draft and ESPN’s Adam Schefter cautioning there is no firm deadline.
- Recent reporting says the Steelers are unlikely to take a quarterback in Round 1, with ESPN’s Brooke Pryor noting Day 2 or Day 3 options under review and Matt Miller reporting the team will “play the board.”
- Coaches and scouts have evaluated mid‑round passers such as Carson Beck, Drew Allar, and Garrett Nussmeier, while last year’s sixth‑rounder Will Howard has backers inside the building, suggesting no urgency to force a pick.
- If Rodgers declines, in‑house choices are Mason Rudolph and Howard, and analysts warn that setup could fall short, labeling Rudolph a backup and placing Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation near the bottom of the league.
- Public criticism has grown as Cris Carter called Rodgers selfish and Skip Bayless said he is holding the team hostage, while RB Jaylen Warren said he will support whoever starts, and separate reports suggest money could be a holdup with Rodgers seeking closer to market value.