Somehow, after parting ways with Mike Tomlin and seemingly taking the first step in a new direction, the Pittsburgh Steelers have found themselves in the same exact spot they were in last offseason: Waiting on a decision from Aaron Rodgers.
While the 42-year-old might give Pittsburgh the best chance to win games in 2026, it's time for the Steelers to seriously consider other options. This team isn't built to compete for a championship this season, so why not try out a younger quarterback?
Names like Kyler Murray and Malik Willis might get most of the attention in the QB market this offseason, but Spencer Rattler could quietly be the perfect answer for the Steelers.
Spencer Rattler trade could solve Pittsburgh Steelers' QB problems
The late-season rise of New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough seems to have wiped Rattler's early performances from the collective mind of the NFL media. While the rookie outperformed his predecessor, Rattler showed some encouraging signs of growth in his time as the starter.
He started eight games, throwing eight touchdowns and five interceptions. His 67.7% completion rate was well above average among starting quarterbacks. Those aren't jaw-dropping numbers, but they show that Rattler is capable of operating an NFL offense at a respectable level.
Rattler doesn't have the elite arm talent of the league's top quarterbacks, but he can put the ball where he wants to without turning it over. Based on what he showed in the first half of the 2025 season, he deserves a starting job somewhere in the NFL in 2026.
The 25-year-old is still under contract with the Saints, but it shouldn't take too much to pry him away in a trade. A late-round pick would likely get it done. He's still on a relatively cheap rookie contract for the next two seasons.
Instead of waiting on Rodgers or dishing out big money in free agency, the Steelers could take a low-risk swing at Rattler. He may end up falling short of expectations and losing the starting job in Pittsburgh. If he does, they can move on from him without taking on a significant dead cap hit. But there's a chance that the flashes of talent he showed last season were real.
Paired with Mike McCarthy and an experienced offense, he could solidify himself as a starter. Either way, he could be the Steelers' best realistic option at quarterback in 2026.