Jerome Bettis has quarterback advice for Steelers amid Aaron Rodgers uncertainty originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Whether Aaron Rodgers decides to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2026 or not, franchise legend Jerome Bettis thinks the team should take a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Bettis spoke with Jarrett Bailey of Behind The Steel Curtain on Wednesday and said he has no issue with the Steelers waiting on Rodgers, who has yet to decide what he wants to do in 2026, whether that be return to Pittsburgh or retire.

But the Super Bowl champion is urging the team to take a quarterback in the draft, no matter what.

"I don't have a problem with the Aaron Rodgers project, in terms of this year," he said. "But I do believe you go maybe in the latter rounds — in the third, fourth, fifth rounds — and maybe you get one of those quarterbacks, and maybe that you are able to then develop him to the degree where next year you either have a quarterback, or you're going to get a quarterback. So, that way you're not in the same quagmire that you're in every year, not having a franchise quarterback."

While that is no doubt sound advice and is something the Steelers could definitely do, we believe Pittsburgh already has the exact guy Bettis is talking about in Will Howard.

Granted, Howard may not play at all this season, especially if Rodgers comes back, but the Steelers will have a better idea of where he stands after spending another season with him in 2026.

Then, Pittsburgh can re-evaluate the former sixth-round pick in 2027 to determine if they think he's capable of taking the reins, or if the team will dip into the 2027 draft class, which is expected to be much stronger than this year's group.

While there had been some speculation that Rodgers hadn't made up his mind because of money, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that is not the case.

Instead, it's as simple as Rodgers isn't ready to make up his mind, Schefter said.

"I was told that money isn't the issue here and the contract isn't the hold up," he said. "When he feels like he's ready to give an answer, he will."

Nobody should be surprised at Rodgers taking this long, as the future Hall of Famer marches to the beat of his own drum and moves on his own timeline.

Furthermore, Rodgers' presence isn't really needed at this time of year. It's really important he's with the team from mandatory minicamp on.

While the Steelers haven't said so publicly, we firmly believe they have at least a good idea that Rodgers is coming back for another season.

For now, Howard and Mason Rudolph can soak up whatever reps there are during the voluntary portion of the offseason program, which is especially important for Howard's development.

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