Will Steelers Sign Aaron Rodgers After NFL Draft? Mike Tomlin Weighs In

Mike Tomlin understands what the narrative will be around the Steelers, who did not select a quarterback until the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Will Howard, the selection at 185th overall, doesn’t figure to solve Pittsburgh’s glaring need in the short term. After all, the Ohio State product was the eighth quarterback off the board, and will need to develop in order to one day become a starter.

So does that mean the Steelers feel good about signing free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers?

“That’s certainly a possibility, but I’m not going to forecast the ifs and the whens regarding not only him, but any potential free agent,” Tomlin said when he appeared on NFL Network’s draft coverage Saturday. “Just rest assured that we’ve had really productive talks with him, and personally I’ve enjoyed having really productive talks with him and getting to know him.”

Tomlin understands how the outside world might view Pittsburgh’s decision to not draft a quarterback with one of its premier picks. Shedeur Sanders, who was linked to the Steelers before the draft, waited four rounds to hear his name called. The Steelers could have targeted Sanders, but passed up on him on Day 1 and 2.

“We’ve had good conversations (with Rodgers),” Tomlin said. “We feel good about our plan at the position. Certainly has yet to be revealed at this point. And I understand the angst not only your community (media) and the communality that supports us. We’re excited about what potentially awaits us there, but really I have nothing to add other than that.”

So for the time being, it’s Mason Rudolph and Howard headlining the Steelers depth chart.