All signs continue to point to Aaron Rodgers being the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback in 2026. Whether Rodgers returns or not, the team should not hesitate to invest in the future of the position. They remain complimentary of Will Howard as a potential option in the future, but he was a sixth-round pick last year. You can't get your hopes too high on him.
Howard should be a possibility, but if Pittsburgh can find another quarterback to bring onto this team in free agency, the draft, or on the trade block, they should do it. Adding a potential long-term option at the most important position in football is vital. The Steelers must get this right, and having them possibly sit behind Rodgers for an entire season to learn and improve their craft could be beneficial.
According to Jason La Canfora, the Atlanta Falcons might be reshaping their group of gunslingers on their roster.
It was announced that Kirk Cousins will be released at the start of the new league year, though this came as no surprise. La Canfora's big news was that the Falcons could be looking to move on from former first-rounder Michael Penix Jr. He would be an intriguing option for the Steelers.
Pittsburgh Steelers could target QB Michael Penix Jr. via trade as potential future option
With Matt Ryan gaining power within the Falcons organization and an entirely new leadership group directing the charge, Penix could be on his way out of town. It's only been two years since Atlanta used the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft to take him. Many thought he would be an obvious franchise-caliber quarterback at the next level, but that hasn't happened.
After sitting behind Cousins for most of his rookie season, Penix took over the starting job. Many worried about his ability to stay healthy at the next level, and he hasn't squashed those concerns during his two years in the NFL. He has missed time due to injuries, and there has been ongoing speculation about his leadership and commitment to improvement.
Those are troublesome accusations.
La Canfora's stated in his article, "Penix’s performance and leadership has fallen under question in Atlanta, and, according to sources with knowledge of the process, as Ryan led the hunt for a new head coach and began probing as to why Penix has not developed as expected, several troubling trends emerged."
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Losing makes a quarterback look worse than the situation he has been dealt. Atlanta has struggled in recent years, particularly since Penix joined the team. He hasn't done enough to be part of the solution for that franchise, and that is why he could be on the trade block. With new decision-makers in the organization, the team could potentially see the former franchise cornerstone sent packing.
The Steelers would be unwise to consider acquiring Penix in a possible trade for anything more than a reasonable asking price.
He hasn't shown the level of play that many thought he would have during his draft process. His injury concerns, combined with widespread doubts about his leadership and dedication to improving his craft, have become a liability. A fresh start in Pittsburgh, where he can sit, learn, and develop, might help unlock his potential.