The Pittsburgh Steelers overhauled their offense this offseason, jettisoning both of last year’s starting quarterbacks in favor of Aaron Rodgers.
Though the Steelers appear to be all-in on a Super Bowl run this season, one outlet believes the team will soon start planning for the long-term future. Rodgers has not committed to playing beyond one season, and Pro Football Network’s Joe DeLeone believes the team will find a new prospect to fill his shoes in next year’s NFL draft.
Steelers Could Stay in the State to Find Aaron Rodgers Replacement
DeLeone predicted that the Steelers would land Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft, which he called a “home run” pick and potential long-term replacement for Rodgers.
“Drew Allar is deservedly being projected as an early first-round pick because of his large frame and powerful arm,” DeLeone wrote. “I’m not as high on Allar due to inconsistencies with his touch, timing, and decision-making. If he were to slide, this would be a home run for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who need a gifted player to mold at QB.”
Drew Allar should be a 1st round talent in the 2026 NFL Draft 🦁
🔹 Ridiculous arm strength and velocity generation
🔹 Prototype pocket QB size with plus mechanics
🔹 Intelligent presnap operator with solid pocket presence
🔹 Plus athlete
🔹 Room to improve accuracy and footwork
NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah suggested that Allar could grow into a solid NFL starter, comparing him to Joe Flacco.
“He reminds me of: My first thought was Kerry Collins, who also spent his college career at Penn State before spending 17 seasons in the NFL,” Jeremiah wrote. “They are big, strong-armed passers with similar athleticism. However, the more I thought about it, the more Allar reminded me of Joe Flacco.”
Jeremiah noted that both Allar and Flacco “both make drive throws look so effortless, and when given some space, they can collect yards on the ground.”
“Neither guy is ultra sudden or dynamic, but they find ways to occasionally extend plays and deliver accurate throws on the move,” he wrote. “They both prefer to read top to bottom, and they’re always on the lookout for shots to present themselves.
Aaron Rodgers Ready for One Final Season
While Rodgers has yet to make a final determination, he strongly implied during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that the 2025 season would be his final one in the NFL.
“I played 20 fricking years. It’s been a long run,” Rodgers said, via ESPN. “I’ve enjoyed it, and no better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys in the city that expects you to win.”
The Steelers made a big investment in Rodgers, allowing both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to leave in free agency after the pair combined to lead the team to a 10-7 record and a playoff berth in 2024. Rodgers waited several weeks before making his decision official, signing with the Steelers before the start of mandatory minicamp.
Rodgers is looking to move on from his rocky tenure with the New York Jets, which started with a season-ending injury on his first drive of the 2023 NFL season and ended with a disappointing 2024 season where the Jets fired both their head coach and general manager during the season.
