The Pittsburgh Steelers entered this offseason preaching clarity and control. Instead, they’re stuck in limbo.
Everything hinges on Aaron Rodgers.
If the 42-year-old veteran decides to reunite with Mike McCarthy, then Omar Khan can spend the remainder of the offseason fortifying the roster elsewhere. Wide receiver depth, offensive line stability, or secondary reinforcements are great places to start.
But if Rodgers retires, Pittsburgh could find itself cornered.
The 2026 draft class lacks elite, plug-and-play quarterback prospects. For a team unwilling to bottom out and rebuild from scratch, reaching on a passer would be reckless. That reality pushes the Steelers toward the veteran free-agent market—a path filled with risk, but also opportunity.
Here are three quarterbacks I believe Pittsburgh should seriously evaluate if Rodgers walks away.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have slim pickings in the 2026 QB Free Agency Pool
Pittsburgh Steelers take health gamble with Free Agent QB Daniel Jones
Redemption defined last season, and Jones authored one of the more compelling chapters.
After years of uneven play with the New York Giants, Jones quietly rebuilt his value with the Indianapolis Colts. He led the Colts to a 7-2 record heading into November and finished the year ranked eighth in QBR. His 3,101 passing yards were the second-highest total of his career. For stretches, he looked decisive, confident, and — dare I say — comfortable.
That version of Jones would intrigue Pittsburgh.
He has mobility, can operate play-action concepts efficiently, and is still young enough to grow. Under McCarthy’s quarterback-friendly structure, Jones could thrive in a system that emphasizes rhythm throws and calculated vertical shots.
The hesitation? Health.
A torn Achilles tendon against Jacksonville cost him four games last season. Durability will absolutely factor into contract negotiations. But if the medical evaluations check out, Jones offers the highest blend of experience and upside on this list.
He wouldn’t just compete with Will Howard — he could continue the intriguing chapter of his career.
Pittsburgh Steelers invest in Free Agent QB Trey Lance
When I think of Lance, I think of untapped potential.
His stat line since being drafted in 2021 is modest: 108 completions, five touchdowns, five interceptions. Not exactly résumé material. But context matters. Lance’s development has unfolded behind the scenes, absorbing lessons from offensive architects like Kyle Shanahan and McCarthy himself.
Sometimes experience isn’t measured in starts — it’s measured in exposure.
Lance is still just 25. He’s athletic, mobile, and offers dual-threat flexibility that could diversify Pittsburgh’s offense. In a league increasingly shaped by quarterback movement and improvisation, that matters.
Financially, Lance would be affordable. That’s critical for a Steelers team hoping to allocate cap commitments elsewhere. Bringing him in for a modest deal and allowing him to battle Howard in camp would create organic competition without crippling future flexibility.
Would Lance be a guaranteed solution? No.
But he might be the most intriguing lottery ticket available.
Pittsburgh Steelers double-down on Free Agent QB Malik Willis
Willis fascinates me.
During Jordan Love’s absence in Green Bay, Willis stepped in and delivered. He led the Packers to a 3-0 record while completing 74.1% of his passes. He threw three touchdowns, rushed for 138 yards on 20 carries, and averaged a league-best 10.19 yards per attempt during that stretch.
Yes, it was a small sample size. But it was efficient, poised, and timely.
Willis, a former third-round pick out of Liberty, has always possessed raw tools—arm strength, athleticism, competitive edge. I remember believing he was the better long-term prospect during the 2022 draft cycle. Maybe this is fate giving Pittsburgh a second look.
He wouldn’t arrive with ego. And he would bring dynamic playmaking to an offense that desperately needs juice. Other franchises are aware of his capabilities, which may raise his price tag.
The free-agent quarterback market is layered with irony. Rodgers, Russell Wilson, and Kenny Pickett—all quarterbacks who have worn black and gold—currently sit on that same list. It’s a reminder that stability at the position has been elusive.
If Rodgers declines to return, I doubt Pittsburgh finds its franchise savior in the draft. That places Howard squarely in control of his destiny—unless one of these veterans seizes the opportunity.
Personally, I lean toward competition over panic. Bring in a hungry veteran. Let the best man win. Preserve draft capital while protecting long-term flexibility.
Because if there’s one lesson this franchise keeps learning, it’s this: forcing the quarterback to answer rarely leads to the right one.