Both sides of this long-running dance have been here before, having dated for months at this time a year ago before finally committing to a season-long partnership. Another rotation seemed improbable seven months ago, but after Rodgers helped the Steelers reach the postseason in 2025, mutual interest appeared between the two sides, both before and after Pittsburgh made the surprise decision to hire McCarthy, the hometown kid with a face Rodgers knows very well.
Pittsburgh seemed confident enough for Steelers owner Art Rooney II to publicly say in late March that he expected an answer from Rodgers “after the draft,” but now it appears the Steelers will have to keep waiting.
They’ve somewhat hedged against this (and a worst-case scenario where Rodgers doesn’t return to football at all) by pushing a narrative of increased confidence in Howard, a Day 3 pick in 2025 (185th overall) who saw no regular-season action as a rookie, but has somehow managed to impress the entire organization. He will logically fill the role of QB1 in spring training and could find himself in an unexpected battle for the starting job in July and August if Rodgers’ absence continues.
Still, this is a secondary plan at best, which the Steelers may have to prepare for by picking up other developmental QB prospects and pushing potential roster conflicts (ie trade Rudolph elsewhere at the end of camp) into the second half of the summer. Without Rodgers’ assurance before the draft, things will be a little less stable, even if only temporarily.
Then again, it wouldn’t be an offseason without weeks spent speculating about Rodgers’ future. Pittsburgh will do its best to navigate a grueling season while keeping an eye on the future.