Pittsburgh used a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL draft to select Ohio State quarterback Will Howard, adding him to a QB room that includes veteran backups Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. None of them is considered a viable starter for the 2025 season, leaving the Steelers with no choice but to continue hoping that Rodgers signs with them.

"As the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on the opportunity to draft a quarterback early in the 2025 draft, they opted for Ohio State’s Will Howard in the sixth round, recognizing the need for a fallback if negotiations with veteran Aaron Rodgers fall through," Hadley wrote.