NFL Rumors: Steelers Will Draft QB 'High' in 2025 or 2026 Even if Aaron Rodgers Signs

As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on a decision from veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they reportedly still have an eye on the future.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Friday's episode of Get Up that the Steelers are likely to use a high draft pick this year or in 2026 to select a quarterback even if Rodgers signs with them this offseason.

"This is why teams that have a quarterback who's in the top half of the league pay them $50, $60 million, whatever they want, because life in the middle is rough. The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced that since Ben Roethlisberger left," Fowler explained. "They can't find a solution, but my sense is they will go heavy on the draft, they will draft a quarterback high, if not this year, then next year, because Aaron Rodgers clearly is a one-year bridge."

The Steelers have shown little interest in re-signing 2024 starting quarterback Russell Wilson while they await a decision from Rodgers. They also lost backup quarterback Justin Fields to the open market, as he signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets to be Rodgers' replacement. Pittsburgh signed Mason Rudolph this offseason, but he's not viewed as a viable starter.

With the No. 21 pick in this year's draft, the Steelers likely won't have the chance to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. In the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest mock draft, Pittsburgh is projected to select Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, though it was noted that other quarterback prospects could be in play.

"Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Ohio State's Will Howard and Alabama's Jalen Milroe could and should be seen as reaches at this juncture," the scouting department wrote. "Instead, Pittsburgh adheres to its identity and finds a high-level defensive prospect in Oregon's Derrick Harmon."

Still, it sounds like the Steelers would be content to wait until the 2026 draft to add a franchise quarterback if they fail to land one this year.