Insider addresses when Steelers could explore ‘other options’

While free agent Aaron Rodgers reportedly hadn’t promised the Pittsburgh Steelers he will eventually serve as their 2025 Week 1 starting quarterback as of Monday morning, numerous reporters have indicated Pittsburgh will have Rodgers atop the depth chart when training camp practices get underway in July. 

During a recent appearance on “SportsCenter,” ESPN NFL insider Dan Graziano addressed when Steelers general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin could go in a different direction regarding the sport’s most important position. 

“If Rodgers is not there by the time they go to training camp in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, [in] late July, then I think that’s when the Steelers start to look at other options,” Graziano explained, as shared by Ross McCorkle of Steelers Depot. “As of now, we are just waiting on Aaron Rodgers.”

A handful of stories have linked the Steelers with Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins. Cousins lost the Atlanta starting job to 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. this past December, but Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot has repeatedly shown with his actions that he doesn’t plan to release Cousins before the upcoming season kicks off. 

With Rodgers unsigned, Pittsburgh has longtime backup Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-round draft pick Will Howard and presumed QB3 Skylar Thompson on the depth chart. It’s assumed Thompson won’t have a long-term home on Pittsburgh’s active roster if Rodgers joins the club this spring or summer. 

The Steelers’ three-day mandatory minicamp is scheduled to run from June 10-12. Rodgers famously skipped the New York Jets’ mandatory minicamp last year but wouldn’t have to be excused from Pittsburgh’s sessions if he stays a free agent through at least the second Friday of June. 

“Pittsburgh, they look at next week’s minicamp, if Rodgers is not there, as a chance for Mason Rudolph and Will Howard to show what they can do [and] get some extra reps,” Graziano added during his update. 

The Steelers seemingly aren’t losing sleep over the thought of not having Rodgers in the building before players begin their summer breaks following mandatory minicamp. That said, it remains to be seen how Khan will respond if Rodgers doesn’t put pen to paper on a deal in time to make at least one minicamp appearance.