'People Won't Love This,' Schefter Updates Steelers QB Plan amid Aaron Rodgers Rumors in Free Agency

Adam Schefter doesn't envision a lot of good solutions to the Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback situations if Aaron Rodgers doesn't return to the team.

The ESPN insider reported in January the Steelers locker room wants Rodgers to stick around, and the organization has publicly said the same. Appearing last week on The Pat McAfee Show, however, the four-time MVP said he's a long way off making a final decision.

Schefter laid out Tuesday on Get Up the Steelers could look internally if Rodgers is off the board:

"So, let's just for a moment operate in a universe in which he doesn't want to come back. And I think that they're hopeful and optimistic that he will come back. But if he doesn't, I think that where they go from there, people won't love this, but I think that they believe that they have a quarterback prospect in Will Howard. Now, it's hard to bank your whole season on a quarterback we haven't seen play in the regular season, but they believe that they have something in Will Howard, and they believe McCarthy's strength is developing good, young, smart quarterbacks. I'm just telling you what they think. That doesn't mean they wouldn't add another quarterback, but they're hoping Rodgers comes back and if he doesn't, they would then be prepared to have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster. They obviously would have to add somebody else, but it's the reason I think they don't feel rushed and compelled to go add anybody right now."

It's somewhat surprising Pittsburgh is pushing all of its chips in on Rodgers for a second successive offseason.

The 42-year-old helped the team win an AFC North title in 2025, but his limitations were clear in the Wild Card Round loss to the Houston Texans. He finished 17-of-33 for 146 yards and one interception as the offense mustered just six points and 175 yards of offense.

▶️ Full Texans-Steelers Recap

05:36

But general manager Omar Khan showed he has little interest in a rebuild when he hired Mike McCarthy to succeed Mike Tomlin. The free-agent pool is beginning to dry up already as well.

In terms of quarterbacks, Rodgers is one of the best available. Kyler Murray, Joe Flacco and Geno Smith also remain without a new contract.

As Schefter laid out, Steelers fans probably wouldn't be pleased if Will Howard and Mason Rudolph wind up battling for the starting job in training camp.

Rudolph has thrown for 4,925 yards, 30 touchdowns and 22 interceptions with an 84.7 passer rating in 34 career appearances. Howard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has yet to throw a pass in the regular season.

Having to rely on either player would pretty much undercut the purpose of hiring McCarthy in the first place. Rudolph or Howard doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in terms of leading a team to the postseason.