The Pittsburgh Steelers could once again, for the third straight year, go down the aging veteran quarterback route. It started with Russell Wilson, then continued with Aaron Rodgers, and now the organization appears open to either bringing Rodgers back for another season or exploring similar veteran options this offseason.
For a franchise that insists it is still a legitimate Super Bowl contender, this approach feels like a refusal to accept reality. Instead of committing to a true long-term solution at quarterback, the Steelers continue kicking the can down the road, hoping another experienced name under center can keep them competitive.
Another quarterback who fits this recent vision is former New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr, who has said he would consider coming out of retirement if the situation were right. That possibility only reinforces the concern because we have seen this story play out before. At some point, the Steelers must stop recycling veteran quarterbacks and fully commit to building for the future. This experiment has dragged on long enough. It is time for it to end once and for all.
Aaron Rodgers or any other veteran quarterback will not get the Pittsburgh Steelers back to winning Super Bowls
Aaron Rodgers had his moments, but it was clear he is not the same player. While he can still make the throws, he is limited in what he can do to elevate the offense on his own. With a roster lacking true playmakers, the Steelers’ offense last season was predictable and constrained, often relying on check-downs and short passes, making it unsustainable over stretches of the year.
Bringing Rodgers back might make sense on paper. He knows the system and is familiar with head coach Mike McCarthy. But if Rodgers retires or signs elsewhere, and the Pittsburgh Steelers turn to someone like Derek Carr, the result is likely the same: a veteran stopgap who can manage the offense but cannot turn it into a true contender. Whether it is Rodgers or another veteran, this approach is unlikely to produce meaningful success.
Instead of repeating the same pattern, the Steelers have a choice: either commit to a true long-term plan at quarterback or roll with what they have for a season and see what develops. If rolling with Will Howard fails, at least the team will be in a position to take a QB in a strong class next year. Chasing older veteran stopgaps and expecting different results is no longer a strategy. It is time to face reality and make a decisive choice.