The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a crossroads at the most scrutinized position in football. With four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers still weighing whether he’ll suit up for a 22nd NFL season, the franchise’s potential fallback plans are gaining attention, and one collegiate signal caller is emerging as a particularly intriguing long-term target.
Rodgers‘ future in the Steel City remains undecided even as the league edges closer to training camp. General manager Omar Khan acknowledged recently that while Rodgers‘ decision timeline may be shorter this offseason than last year’s protracted saga, the organization must be ready for any outcome, including retirement.
“We’re all searching for the next franchise player, the guy who’s going to be our quarterback for the next 10 or 15 years,” Khan said at the NFL scouting combine.
If Rodgers opts not to return, a possibility underscored by fading interest from other clubs and genuine signals that he could step away from the game at 42, the Steelers would be forced to pivot their quarterback strategy.
Mac Jones represents an experienced bridge option at quarterback
The Steelers‘ search for stability under center includes veteran alternatives, and Mac Jones has surfaced in league discussions as a possible trade target if Rodgers opts for retirement.
Jones, 27, currently serves as the backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers and has compiled a mix of starting experience and steady play throughout his NFL career.
A former first-round draft pick (No. 15 overall in 2021), he began his professional journey with the New England Patriots before stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars and ultimately San Francisco.
Across 49 career starts, Jones has completed nearly 66% of his pass attempts while throwing 54 touchdowns to 44 interceptions, showcasing enough competence to keep teams interested in his services as a reliable veteran presence.
In the 2025 season, Jones stepped in for injured starter Brock Purdy and posted a careerbest completion rate of 70% with 2,151 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and six interceptions, the most consistent stretch of his professional career.
For the Steelers, Jones‘ appeal is straightforward. If Rodgers steps away and Pittsburgh lacks confidence in its young quarterbacks, a trade for Jones could provide the franchise with a known quantity at quarterback for at least a season.
A fresh face rising in draft projections
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, whose 2025 college season showcased a mix of arm talent, mobility, and lategame poise, is a key element many Steelers fans have longed to see at Heinz Field.
Simpson threw for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns against just five interceptions in 2025, numbers that suggest he could be an impact passer in the right system.
evaluators have long associated Alabama signalcallers with pro success, and a schemefit conversation around Mike McCarthy, the Steelers‘ new head coach and Rodgers‘ former mentor in Green Bay, adds another layer to Simpson‘s appeal.
And while Simpson‘s name circulates, Pittsburgh‘s brass hasn’t ruled out supplementing the quarterback room with veteran experience, either via free agency or a trade.
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