The Pittsburgh Steelers and general manager Omar Khan have executed their free agency plan to perfection. After letting Russell Wilson go, the team found the ideal replacement they wanted at a very low cost in Aaron Rodgers.
Then, the priority was to give their star T.J. Watt a new deal. That move is now official with a three-year, 123 million dollar contract extension, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in history.
In addition, with the goal of becoming a Super Bowl contender, the Steelers acquired several big names such as DK Metcalf, Jalen Ramsey, Darius Slay, and Jonnu Smith. It’s win-now mode for a team many experts had predicted would be heading into a transition year in 2025.
Who is the Steelers quarterback now?
Aaron Rodgers is now the quarterback of the Steelers, but according to a report from Jeremy Fowler, Pittsburgh’s long-term plans haven’t changed and a decision has been made. The 2026 Draft, which will take place at home, is still the targeted date to possibly find their franchise quarterback for the next decade.
“They’re actually ok (on salary cap) if they keep their quarterback cost down. We know Aaron Rodgers is affordable this year and I expect the Steelers to draft a quarterback in the 2026 Draft. That would put them on a rookie scale quarterback. They can build around him with these huge numbers T.J. Watt is earning. He’s only got a $23 million cap hit this year. It’s not too bad. Next year, that goes up to $42 million the next few years. That’s like quarterback money.”
see also
NFL News: Mike Tomlin confirms why Steelers didn’t choose Shedeur Sanders in first round of 2025 Draft
