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Steelers Already Eyeing QB Options In 2026 NFL Draft

Aaron Rodgers’ one-year deal leaves has the team weighing successors

The Pittsburgh Steelers already are sizing up their options at quarterback for 2026.

While Aaron Rodgers is in place for this season, the 41-year-old is playing on a one-year deal. Rodgers has not ruled out returning, but the expectation around Pittsburgh is that retirement is likely. That leaves the front office preparing to explore what is being billed as one of the strongest quarterback draft classes in recent years.

Assistant general manager Andy Weidl said the Steelers will scout broadly, but certain targets are obvious.

“There are some guys who are really talented,” Weidl said Thursday, as transcribed by Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Some can win from the pocket, some can beat you on the run. We’ll do our work. It’s early, but there’s talent out there.”

That talent could include prospects like Garrett Nussmeier of LSU, Cade Klubnik of Clemson, LaNorris Sellers of South Carolina and Drew Aller of Penn State. Projections suggest as many as five or six passers could be taken in the first round.

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The Steelers are well-positioned to maneuver if they choose to. General manager Omar Khan has built up draft capital, with as many as 12 picks possible once compensatory selections are awarded.

“We’re in the pick business,” Weidl said. “The more picks you have, the more flexibility you get.”

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The organization still invested in the position this past spring, using a sixth-round pick on Ohio State quarterback Will Howard.

Howard’s development has been slowed by a fractured finger suffered early in training camp, however.

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Featured image via Charles LeClaire/Imagn Images