The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have their starting quarterback in place after Aaron Rodgers put pen to paper on a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the team. However, they still need to find their long-term answer at quarterback, which could lead them to target a former first-round pick on the trade market.
After a disastrous two-season stint with the New York Jets, Rodgers ended up getting released by the team at the start of the offseason. The four-time MVP took his time when it came to making a decision on his playing future, and it resulted in Pittsburgh being the last true suitor for his services.
With Rodgers signing his deal, the Steelers have their answer at quarterback for the 2025 season, but what about future seasons? This is only a one-year deal, and Rodgers will turn 42 years old in December, meaning he could conceivably retire after just one season with the team.
Pittsburgh did select Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL draft, but the team cannot bank on him developing into a starting caliber quarterback. That could lead the Steelers to the trade market, where Anthony Richardson could end up becoming an option depending on how things pan out for the Indianapolis Colts this season.
The Colts selected Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2023 NFL draft, but he has struggled to stay healthy during his first two seasons in the league, and when he’s been on the field, he’s been wildly inconsistent. Richardson’s upside is hard to miss, though, and Kevin Clark of ESPN believes that a move to Pittsburgh could be beneficial for all parties involved.
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“He needs to play more football,” Clark said on “NFL Live.” “I’ve never seen anybody more destined to be in the 2026 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback competition than Anthony Richardson.”
In the wake of Richardson’s disappointing 2024 season, the Colts went out and signed another former first-round quarterback, Daniel Jones, to compete with him for the starting job. If Richardson continues to struggle, Indianapolis could opt to cut their losses and trade him before potentially losing him for nothing in free agency.
In 11 games last season, Richardson threw for 1,814 yards and eight touchdowns, but he also was intercepted 12 times. He is also a threat on the ground, though, as he ran for 499 yards and six scores on 86 carries. For now, the Steelers will simply be happy to have Rodgers on board, but it wouldn’t necessarily be a surprise to see Richardson emerge as a trade target for them next offseason.
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