Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers want Aaron Rodgers as their quarterback for next season, but clearly, due to his age, he is not the long-term answer. For that reason, according to a report by Gerry Dulac, the franchise player of the future is expected to arrive in 2026.
“They’re all-in, in 2026, on moving up and trying to get what they believe to be their next franchise quarterback or certainly their starter for a number of years. So, I think their plan all along has been geared that way. They have a plan and, yes, they will have to make a package and trade up in the first round.”
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers have tried several options, but none of them have made the team a Super Bowl contender. Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, or Russell Wilson.
Who will be Steelers next starting quarterback?
Aaron Rodgers would be the next starting quarterback for the Steelers, but inevitably, the franchise must find who will be their leader for the next 15 years. That’s the only way to compete against star names like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen.
It’s important to remember that the 2026 class will be very deep at the quarterback position with impressive names like Arch Manning and Drew Allar. For several months, the Penn State prospect has been strongly linked to Pittsburgh due to his amazing skill set.