As of right now we know that Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Love him or hate him he has the Steelers at 6-2 and atop the AFC North. This is however his final season which leaves the franchise with major questions going forward. Those questions are likely creating discussions in the front office as the powers that be discuss adding players before today’s deadline.
Ask yourself this, are the Pittsburgh Steelers a player away from being a Super Bowl contender? If Omar Khan and Mike McCarthy think so, then you find that player and you do what it takes to bring him in… Draft picks be damned. But if they aren’t convinced that Drew Allar and/or Will Howard aren’t their next QB then you just can’t give up picks right now can you?
We are already seeing the same thing happen in 2026 that we saw in 2025 in regards to college quarterbacks. Many of the top prospects have fallen back to Earth and are no longer considered first round worthy. This is clearly being weighed on the South Side. Even if the Steelers lose all of their remaining games to finish 6-11 it’s unlikely they will be high enough to select a top QB. That brings us back to the here and now.
If QB is still a huge option and need for round one next year then you aren’t dealing a first for anyone today. It’s also unlikely that you would consider moving a second round pick either and with no fourth rounder currently, the Steelers are a bit limited. Josh Downs and Ladd McConkey are both guys that could help Aaron Rodgers. They get off the line quickly and can beat the heavy man coverage the offense is seeing so often right now. But what are they worth?
The Indianapolis Colts have gone on record as saying they’ve been offered a fourth for Downs. Would the Steelers up the ante to get him? Brian Thomas, Jr has been discussed for weeks but what are you offering for a guy that has a grand total of 10 receptions this season? He’s got tons of talent but why can’t he get on the field in Jacksonville? Something isn’t right there.
To me, if I’m confident that I have my QB for next year then swing for the fences. Go out and get a D.K. Metcalf type guy who could immediately change the franchise. Khan has done it before so why not try again? Only the people inside the front office truly know where the direction of this team and the future is heading.
Whatever moves they make today should be a clear signal of how they feel about the quarterback position moving forward. Some moves will suggest more than others while no moves will tell us everything we need to know.
