We know the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situation isn't good, but PFF didn't have to deliver a low blow like this. As we begin the longest dry spell of the NFL calendar year without notable football news, Pro Football Focus' John Kosko ranked the 32 best quarterbacks in the NFL. Mason Rudolph narrowly cracked the list in the 31st spot.
Rudolph, who started five games with the Tennessee Titans last season, led his team to a 1-4 record while throwing nine touchdowns with as many interceptions and averaging just 6.7 yards per attempt in 2024. This led to a pedestrian passer rating of just 80.1, the second lowest of his NFL career.
As you can imagine, PFF didn't offer up a glowing endorsement for Rudolph with the Steelers in 2025.
"After spending his first six seasons in Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph spent a year in Tennessee before returning on a two-year deal with the Steelers," Kosko wrote on PFF.com. "With just 850 career dropbacks and only 22 big-time throws to his name, Rudolph is firmly established as a career backup. Given that the Steelers selected Will Howard in the sixth round, it’s likely we’ll see the rookie take the field before the season is over."
The term 'career backup' has been used to describe Rudolph often, and that's not about to change. The veteran is entering his age-30 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and if he hasn't shown much improvement since 2018, what makes us believe he's the right man for the job now?
If Rudolph is forced to start for the Steelers this year, Mike Tomlin will still find a way for this football team to keep its head above water, but nobody will mistake them for legitimate contenders. The Steelers' quarterback situation is about as bad as it gets, but we can guarantee you that Aaron Rodgers wouldn't rank this low if and when he signs with the team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers would instantly have a better QB situation if Aaron Rodgers signs
We understand why PFF didn't include Aaron Rodgers in their 2025 quarterback rankings. The 41-year-old is a free agent, and retirement isn't out of the question. But if he does ink a deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, you can bet he would rank higher than Mason Rudolph on this list.
Rodgers is just a fraction of the player that he used to be, but on his worst day, he would still easily top Rudolph in the QB power rankings. Based on PFF's rankings, we can assume that Rodgers would slot into 'tier 5', labeled 'Veterans capable of solid play but could be quickly replaced.' This would put him with players like Sam Darnold, Russell Wilson, and Justin Fields and rank him somewhere in the mid-to-late 20s.
Despite his flaws, Rodgers is likely the best of this group, especially after witnessing Russell Wilson last season in Pittsburgh. Regardless, we are still talking about a below-average starter at this stage of his career. And considering Rodgers turns 42 during the 2025 season and hasn't been practicing with a team this offseason, it could be even worse than we expect.
Whichever way you want to slice it, Pro Football Focus is right: the Steelers' quarterback situation is bad, so bad that nobody would be shocked if sixth-round rookie Will Howard saw the field this season. Pittsburgh still needs a long-term fix at the position, but it won't come this year.