Overview
- Aaron Rodgers has not committed to 2026 and said there is “no deadline” for his decision, leaving Pittsburgh awaiting clarity as the calendar advances.
- Pittsburgh sent QB coach Tom Arth and area scout Jim Ward to North Dakota State’s pro day to evaluate Cole Payton, who earned a Day 2, QB3 projection from Todd McShay.
- The Steelers hosted Carson Beck on a top-30 visit, met Drew Allar and Ty Simpson at the combine, and are expected to look at Garrett Nussmeier, signaling interest in a mid-round developmental quarterback.
- Veteran bridge routes remain in play, with reporting and analysts linking Kirk Cousins—whom Daniel Jeremiah said he’d take over Rodgers—and mentions of Jimmy Garoppolo and trade ideas such as Tanner McKee.
- Public pressure for direction is rising as Ben Roethlisberger voices confidence in a return, Rod Woodson urges moving on, and a report from an anonymous executive floated the Raiders as a possible fallback for Rodgers.