Blockbuster Steelers Trade Proposal Lands Former Rival QB to Replace Aaron Rodgers

Steelers Eyeing Former No. 1 Pick

Gagnon suggested that the Steelers could closely monitor the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this coming season, making a trade pitch for former top pick Baker Mayfield if the team happens to “fall off a cliff.”

Gagnon suggested that the Steelers could have some competition in trading for Mayfield, noting that the Minnesota Vikings could also see him as a viable option.

“Could a contender with quarterback issues decide to roll the dice on him taking off following a change of scenery?” Gagnon wrote. “We won’t speculate on injuries, but the Steelers and Vikings both come to mind in the event that either the Aaron Rodgers experiment blows up quickly or J.J. McCarthy gets off to a horrible start in Minnesota.”

After being shipped out by the rival Cleveland Browns in favor of Deshaun Watson, Mayfield had a short stint with the Los Angeles Rams before turning around his career with the Buccaneers. He had a career-best season in 2024, completing 71.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and a 106.8 passer rating — all career highs.

Steelers Built Offense Around Aaron Rodgers

While the Steelers will need to address the future of their quarterback room soon with the 41-year-old Rodgers at the helm, the team doesn’t appear to be making any plans to replace him this season. ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the team made a big roster move in anticipation of Rodgers’ signing, moving wide receiver George Pickens out of fear he could clash with Rodgers.

“The Steelers moved on from Pickens for a few reasons,” Fowler writes. “His maturity issues were well-known within Pittsburgh’s locker room and front office. So, the Steelers made the evaluation that Pickens and Rodgers probably would not hit it off.”

Rodgers played for a New York Jets team in turmoil in 2024, with the team firing its head coach and general manager during the season and falling out of playoff contention early. The team released Rodgers in March as part of a deeper rebuild.

Though the Jets struggled with Rodgers as their starter last season, the former league MVP had a strong individual season and seems to have a bit left in the tank. Despite returning from a torn Achilles suffered in his first drive with the Jets in 2023, Rodgers completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.