The Pittsburgh Steelers’ quarterback plans for the 2025 season aren’t really tied to their vision for 2026. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the team has not had a true face of the franchise at the position. While the front office knows it must eventually solve that problem to compete at the highest level, the approach for 2025 is more of a temporary solution focused on staying competitive.
Tim Warner / Getty Images
Texas QB Arch Manning throws the ball before an away game.
The Steelers are hopeful that Aaron Rodgers will join the roster and take over as their quarterback for the 2025 season. If that does not happen, Mason Rudolph is expected to start, with Will Howard getting a real opportunity to compete for the job. No matter who takes the field in 2025, Head Coach Mike Tomlin, General Manager Omar Khan, and Team President Art Rooney II have all made it clear the organization plans to draft a quarterback in 2026.
That plan may already be facing complications, however. Rumors are starting to swirl that top quarterback prospect Arch Manning could stay in college instead of entering the 2026 NFL Draft. The Steelers have plenty of draft capital and have positioned themselves to make a move, but trading up to the number one pick would be extremely difficult. If Manning returns to school, it could cause a ripple effect across the draft class and leave the Steelers without a clear path to finding their future franchise quarterback.
The 2025 draft class was widely viewed as one of the weakest in recent memory, especially at the quarterback position. The Steelers had multiple chances to select higher-rated prospects, but chose to stick to their long-term plan. When the sixth round came around, they saw strong value in Howard and decided to take a chance. Surprisingly, there has been a notable amount of buzz surrounding Howard—far more than what a typical sixth-round quarterback would generate.
ESPN
Steelers' Will Howard throws the football during the College Football Playoff.
That excitement stems from his college career, where Howard played a pivotal role in leading Ohio State to a National Championship. He consistently delivered in big moments and displayed exceptional leadership qualities under pressure. Despite those accomplishments, NFL scouts remained skeptical about how well his game would translate to the next level.
What the scouts failed to measure was Howard’s drive, intelligence, and relentless work ethic. He believes he belongs in the NFL as a starting quarterback and is determined to prove it. The Steelers may have taken him late, but Howard is already out to show he was vastly overlooked.
Whether Howard develops or not, the Steelers are still expected to take a big swing in the 2026 NFL Draft. That year’s draft will be held in the city of Pittsburgh, adding even more pressure for the team to make a major move.
If the Steelers plan to target a quarterback and Manning decides to stay in college, it could shake up the top of the draft order. Manning's return might influence other top quarterback prospects to do the same, which would weaken the class and limit the options available.
Steelers Could Struggle In 2026 Draft If Top Prospects Don't Enter
The rise of NIL (or Name, Image, and Likeness deals), has changed everything. In the past, top prospects had every incentive to leave school early and enter the draft for financial reasons. Now, many college athletes can earn life-changing money while staying in school, giving them more flexibility and leverage over their futures. This shift has made the NFL Draft more unpredictable than ever and could force the Steelers to rethink how they approach finding their next franchise quarterback.
Scott Wachter / USA TODAY Sports
Texas QB Arch Manning gets ready to unleash a football during a home game in college.
With the Steelers all in on finding a quarterback and the 2026 class supposedly expected to be much stronger, it will be a waiting game to see which quarterbacks declare and which ones decide to stay in college. The Steelers could miss out on a top prospect or be forced to pivot to a different option, all depending on what Manning and others choose to do.
