Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson are the presumed leading candidates in free agency to join — or in Wilson’s case, rejoin — the Pittsburgh Steelers as the team’s starting quarterback next season.
Pittsburgh already met with Rodgers, while Wilson also remains an option despite his free agent meeting with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants. The two veteran quarterbacks, each with Super Bowl victories on their respective resumes, have been at the center of Steelers offseason rumors. Rodgers finished up a two-year run with the New York Jets and Wilson wrapped up a one-year stint with Pittsburgh before entering the offseason.
So who should the organization entrust? Former Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley chimed in and provided a clear “best-case scenario” option for head coach Mike Tomlin.
“I think the best answer still, to me, is finding a way to come to terms with Aaron Rodgers,” Haley told SiriusXM NFL Radio last Wednesday. “I think Pittsburgh would be a great place for him, both from a perception standpoint and a chance to win. I think that’s the best-case scenario. If it’s Russell Wilson coming back around, it’s just very hard for me to get excited if they just rewind and go back through what they just did. Now with the addition of DK Metcalf, we still gotta see what happens with (George) Pickens as we get through the draft because I’m still not sure there’s not gonna be a deal made there.”
Rodgers didn’t earn himself a grand send-off from the Big Apple. While returning from a season-ending torn Achilles suffered in 2023, the 10-time Pro Bowler also underwent a sour split with ex-Jets head coach Robert Saleh — who was fired five games into the season — and led New York to a 5-12 finish. The Jets missed the playoffs, nearly fell to the bottom of the AFC East and quickly cut ties with Rodgers earlier this offseason before replacing the 41-year-old with former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields — he signed a two-year deal with New York.
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Nevertheless, Pittsburgh’s search for a go-to signal-caller won’t be an easy decision, even if the franchise could hand-pick its guy.
Rodgers, a four-time league MVP, spent six hours with the Steelers during their meeting, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor. Still, concerns regarding his age, performance and character make Rodgers a candidate to carefully consider. The Steelers are currently in response mode, coming off a five-game losing streak to end its most recent campaign, which also extended Pittsburgh’s playoff victory drought to nine consecutive years.
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