The quarterback situation at the Steelers is unclear, and public speculation is growing louder. The upcoming season is likely to depend largely on the decision of the future Hall of Famer.

More than three years have passed since Ben Roethlisberger ended his NFL career. From 2004 to 2022, “Big Ben” played for the Steelers and won the Super Bowl with the team in 2006 and 2009.

The departure of the long-time franchise quarterback has left a void that has yet to be filled. Kenny Pickett, a first-round pick in 2022, has failed to fill his big shoes. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson were weighed in “Steel City” last season, but ultimately found to be too light.

This year, the Steelers selected quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the draft. He could be a steal, but of course, that’s not guaranteed. Tua backup Skylar Thompson came from Miami, and the QB room is rounded out by Mason Rudolph, who was brought back from the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

This lineup at the key position is not making fans or experts happy. Former quarterback and current ESPN expert Dan Orlovsky even predicted a 0-6 start if the Steelers don’t make improvements. “In this offense, I only have my eye on D.K. Metcalf,” Orlovsky said, denying the Steelers any offensive quality.

Aaron Rodgers is stringing the Steelers along

The Steelers acquired the star receiver from the Seattle Seahawks, but who is going to feed Metcalf with passes? Rumors have been circulating for some time that Aaron Rodgers could be the missing piece of the Steelers’ puzzle. However, the future Hall of Famer appears to be stringing the Pennsylvania team along, with the 41-year-old apparently weighing up whether he wants to continue his career at all. And if so, where.

While the stalled negotiations are causing the rumours to grow louder, those responsible in Pittsburgh are said to be much more relaxed about the situation. “First of all, they remain optimistic that Rodgers will sign and become their starting QB. And that he will play better than he did last season with the Jets,” explained ESPN journalist Dan Graziano.

On the other hand, the Steelers have a high opinion of Mason Rudolph, who took over for the struggling Pickett in 2023 and led the team to the playoffs. In addition, there is a lot of confidence in the strong defense and running game, so a superstar quarterback is not necessarily needed, according to the sports management team led by head coach Mike Tomlin.

Without Rodgers, a transitional season looms

Looking ahead to the coming season, Rodgers is still the X-factor. If they manage to bring him to Pittsburgh and he returns to form in his second year after tearing his Achilles tendon, the Steelers could be a good football team. If he decides against joining the “Men of Steel,” a transitional season is likely.

And according to the latest reports, that wouldn’t be a disaster for general manager Omar R. Khan and his team. That’s because the selection of quarterbacks in the next two draft classes is expected to be significantly stronger than this year.

Perhaps the 2026 or 2027 draft will finally produce a quarterback who can fill the huge void left by Ben Roethlisberger. The next few days and weeks will show whether Aaron Rodgers can help the Steelers bridge the gap until then.