Pittsburgh Steelers may suddenly turn up the pressure on Aaron Rodgers following an NFC foe’s decision to release Pro Bowl QB
The Steelers suddenly have another option to be their starting QB in 2026.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are playing the waiting game yet again. With only Will Howard and Mason Rudolph under contract for the 2026 season, there is currently no clear starter on the roster. Some believe that if pressed, the Steelers would be comfortable enough to name Howard their starter despite his lack of experience.
Pittsburgh has made it clear, however, that Aaron Rodgers is their top priority. There were reports during Super Bowl week that he is nearing his return, and Omar Khan said at last week’s NFL Scouting Combine that the team wants him back, though they hope they don’t have to wait as long as last year to get an answer from Rodgers. Well, following the release of a Pro Bowler, Khan and co may be asking Rodgers to speed up his timeline.
Cardinals decision to release Kyler Murray could have Steelers growing impatient with Aaron Rodgers
For much of last year’s NFL free agency, the Steelers held up their plans as they waited for Aaron Rodgers. They felt comfortable enough in his decision that they didn’t pursue anyone during that cycle or in the NFL Draft. But there was also no Kyler Murray available last year. No Pro Bowler in his 20s with MVP votes was for the taking last year, the way Murray is, and certainly not for the price.
“Because the Cardinals already owe Kyler Murray $36.5M guaranteed for 2026, whichever team signs him is going to have the chance to do so at a massive bargain. Pittsburgh did this with Russell Wilson after his release from Denver. Plenty of teams are in need of a QB.” – Field Yates, ESPN
Why the Steelers should consider signing Kyler Murray
You can bring up some of the maturity concerns, or the fact that Murray is on the smaller side of quarterbacks in the league. You can tell me about the way things ended in Arizona and some of his durability concerns. All of that is notable.
What you can’t ignore if you’re the Steelers, however, is that you have the opportunity to sign a 28-year-old signal caller with two Pro Bowls to his name and on a veteran minimum contract. Oh, and for the first time in his life, Murray will have a chip on his shoulder.
Murray is believed by many to be the best quarterback in the history of Texas high school football. He’s the only player to be a top-10 pick in both the MLB and NFL Drafts. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and signed a massive contract extension in Arizona.
All of that is gone. He’s now been told that he’s not good enough and no longer wanted, and that could bring out his true potential. That’s potential that the Steelers should be willing to bet on, especially if Aaron Rodgers continues to take his time.
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