The road to improvement in the NFL is rarely smooth, but it’s a path paved with hard work, resilience, and a clear vision. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, that vision has been shaped by general manager Omar Khan and his aggressive approach to building a contender in 2025.
After a whirlwind offseason that included headline-grabbing acquisitions like Aaron Rodgers, Jalen Ramsey, and DK Metcalf, there were questions—some of them fair. Would it all gel? Would the gamble pay off?
Some of those answers began to take shape during a 31-25 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Yes, it was just Week 1 of the preseason. But for the first time in a while, the Steelers looked cohesive on offense.
They looked confident and competent —especially at the quarterback position, where inefficiency and inconsistency have haunted this franchise in recent years.
With rookie Will Howard sidelined due to a broken finger on his throwing hand, the Steelers were without one of their most intriguing young prospects.
But that didn’t matter.
Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson rose to the occasion, delivering one of the most promising quarterback showings we’ve seen in a Steelers preseason game in years.
Rudolph set the tone early, leading the opening drive with poise and rhythm. He capped it off with a laser to tight end Darnell Washington for a 19-yard touchdown that electrified the offense.
He finished the night nearly perfect, completing 9 of 10 passes for 84 yards and a score. He looked like a seasoned veteran playing with something to prove—and he played like it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have enough QB depth to sustain a successful future
Then came Skylar Thompson.
The third-year quarterback entered the game with a reputation as a project, but what he showed was far from raw. Thompson completed 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns, displaying not only accuracy but command of Arthur Smith’s offense.
There was no panic in the pocket. No turnovers or rushed decisions. Just a calm, efficient approach that moved the chains and finished drives.
For a fanbase that’s endured years of quarterback turmoil, this performance was more than just refreshing—it was hopeful. You could see the confidence, not just from the quarterbacks, but from the entire offense.
The protection held up. The receivers made plays. And most importantly, the unit looked like it belonged together.
Let’s give credit where it’s due—Aaron Rodgers’ presence is already being felt.
His leadership and experience are clearly rubbing off on the younger quarterbacks, and that’s a priceless asset for a team preparing for both short-term contention and long-term sustainability.
The Steelers now have their QB1 in Rodgers—and perhaps, for the first time in a long time, viable options behind him.
This win may not count in the standings, but for Pittsburgh, it counts where it matters most: belief.