Aaron Rodgers intends to hold the quarterback position for only 2025 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He appears ready to retire following this campaign, but things could always change after a season of football. Rodgers is a stopgap for Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan as they look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft.
There should be plenty of choices to replace Rodgers.
The Steelers hope Rodgers will turn back the clock and find the fountain of youth with the team. He will hopefully find success, lead the team to the postseason, and gain some wins when they reach the tournament. If not, Pittsburgh will pivot to the NFL Draft, where they hope to land a premier quarterback. This upcoming crop of rookies should have quality choices to sift through.
Pittsburgh Steelers should have plenty of options to replace Rodgers as 2026 quarterback
Sam Leavitt, QB, Arizona State
The Arizona State Sun Devils are coming off a magical season, producing success. They had a lot of playmakers across their roster, namely Cam Skattebo and Sam Leavitt. The Sun Devils quarterback returns in 2025, while Skattebo was drafted by the New York Giants this past spring. Leavitt has a lot to prove, as the offense's success and failures will fall on his shoulders.
Leavitt will be a project quarterback going into the draft since he will be extremely young. He will only be 21 years old when he gets selected. If he fails to take strides as a college quarterback this season, he could always slide back into the college ranks. His breakout campaign in 2024 excited many scouts, and if he can build off that, he could rise to the top of the NFL Draft.
During his 2024 campaign, Leavitt produced 2,885 passing yards, 443 rushing yards, six interceptions, and a combined total of 29 touchdowns.
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John Mateer, QB, Oklahoma
It's a massive season for John Mateer as he could follow in the footsteps of another former Washington State quarterback to find success from the transfer portal, Cam Ward. Mateer finally got to start for the Cougars this past campaign, and he took off. He produced eye-popping numbers, which flooded his offers in the transfer portal. He will now quarterback the Oklahoma Sooners.
The Sooners might not have been terrific in recent years, but Mateer has a fantastic shot to boost his draft stock. Resurrecting Oklahoma's program would catch the eyes of the Steelers and others. He is entering his fourth year of college football, but the amount of experience he would bring as a rookie would provide an adequate replacement for Rodgers.
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana
Rodgers should be familiar with Fernando Mendoza, as both played quarterback at the same college.
Both played at California, but Mendoza just transferred to Indiana in hopes of raising his draft stock. The Big Ten Conference has elite talent, and Indiana is coming off a terrific campaign. Mendoza hopes to build off that success and carry that into the 2026 NFL Draft.
Mendoza has plenty of starting experience through his first two seasons of college football. If he can prove to excel against tougher competition and produce a breakout season, he will shoot up draft boards. The quarterback hasn't created massive numbers throughout his career yet, but he has every tool necessary to have a fantastic year and catch the eye of the Steelers just in time for the NFL Draft.