Steelers hoped for Aaron Rodgers news, but NFL Draft leaves Pittsburgh fans worried about QB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
At one point during Thursday's NFL Draft first round in Pittsburgh, two legendary Steelers quarterbacks paraded onto the stage.
There came Ben Roethlisberger, and then he was joined by Terry Bradshaw.
And, well, it was a reminder of where the Steelers currently sit.
They don't know who their quarterback will be in 2026.
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On the roster are Will Howard and Mason Rudolph. And looming elsewhere is Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers is technically a free agent after his first season in Pittsburgh, but it seems he'd only sign back with the Steelers if he signs anywhere.
The all-time great could also decide to retire, and as of draft week, he seemingly hasn't made up his mind yet.
It's a tough situation for the Steelers to be in.
There was some speculation that Rodgers could show up at the NFL Draft and announce his return in front of the Pittsburgh fans. That seems like something that would've happened during the first round if it was going to happen at all, though, and it didn't.
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There was also some curiosity about whether the Steelers would consider Alabama QB Ty Simpson at the 21st overall pick. We'll never know, because the Rams shocked the draft by taking Simpson at No. 13.
So now the Steelers' best hope of a drafted QB is someone like Drew Allar or Carson Beck, guys that won't be close to starters on day one but could develop over time.
They'll still need Rodgers around to have any chance of making the playoffs in 2026.
And right now, as the draft rolls on in downtown Pittsburgh, the city waits on Rodgers.
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