It's no secret Aaron Rodgers likely played his last down with the Pittsburgh Steelers , as even if the veteran quarterback didn't retire, Art Rooney II's comments on his future after Mike Tomlin stepped down hardly instilled confidence in a 2026 reunion.
Without Rodgers, Pittsburgh would be down to quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Will Howard . And while they're solid options for next season, these four potential replacements for Rodgers could be exactly what the Steelers need.
QB Daniel Jones
Jones was positioning himself for a major payday and a potential Comeback Player of the Year bid before an Achilles tear in Week 14 derailed his incredible start. Despite the setback, Jones believes he'll be cleared to play by training camp and could sign with a quarterback-needy team like the Steelers on a cheap deal due to injury concerns.
QB Malik Willis
The Steelers were heavily connected to Willis leading up to the 2022 NFL Draft but opted to select Kenny "Two-Gloves" Pickett in the first round — and we all know how that went. Willis has proven himself deserving of a starting opportunity after strong performances as the Green Bay Packers backup and is easily a low-risk, high-reward option for Pittsburgh.
QB Kyler Murray
Many reports have indicated Murray's time with the Arizona Cardinals is likely coming to an end this offseason, which is ideal timing for Pittsburgh's own quarterback woes. The former first-overall quarterback hasn't exactly lived up to his draft status, but a change of scenery with a fresh coaching staff and offensive game plan could potentially set Murray up for a bounce-back year.
QB Ty Simpson
Simpson, one of the top quarterbacks in the 2026 NFL Draft class, would give the Steelers a player to compete with Rudolph and Howard right away while also preparing the team for a new look on offense. Pittsburgh doesn't necessarily have the best track record at developing young quarterbacks, but a lot of blame can be placed on Tomlin's sub-par coaching staff over the years.
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This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' QB options to replace Aaron Rodgers in 2026

