How Steelers Reportedly Are Approaching QB In 2026 NFL Draft amid Aaron Rodgers Rumors

The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't locked in to drafting a quarterback this month despite the uncertainty regarding Aaron Rodgers' NFL future, ESPN's Matt Miller reported Thursday.

Miller wrote that "the Steelers might not have a clear-cut quarterback of the future on the roster, but one internal source said that they won't be forced to draft one this year."

"That source noted Pittsburgh will play the board first and that Will Howard, last year's sixth-round pick, has fans in the front office," Miller added.

Steelers coach Mike McCarthy told Pat McAfee last week he's been in regular contact with Rodgers, who has yet to confirm whether he plans to return for a 22nd NFL season.

Without Rodgers, the Steelers' quarterback depth chart currently consists of Howard and Mason Rudolph.

McCarthy said last week he feels Howard, who injured his hand in last year's training camp and has yet to take any NFL snaps in the preseason or regular season, is "a real prospect as a starting quarterback."

Given that the Steelers are heading into the draft with an NFL-high 12 picks, however, there's still a possibility Pittsburgh could target a signal caller later in the draft.

ESPN's Brooke Pryor wrote she wouldn't "rule out" the Steelers using a Day 2 or 3 pick on a quarterback, and named Miami's Carson Beck, Penn State's Drew Allar and LSU's Garrett Nussmeier as players on whom McCarthy and Steelers scouts "have been doing their homework."

The Steelers currently hold 11 picks on the final two days of the draft, including No. 53 in Round 2 and Nos. 76, 85 and 99 in Round 3.

Team owner Art Rooney told Pryor last week he expected Rodgers to inform the franchise when he will return by the time Pittsburgh hosts the draft on April 23. What answer Rodgers gives the Steelers could shape whether any signal callers end up on general manager Omar Khan's draft board.