The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t made many fans happy with the success of their quarterback position since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Between Kenny Pickett and the Russell Wilson/Justin Fields duo from last year, the position and thereby the team have longed for consistency under center.

With the way their current search is going, it is unlikely they find a permanent solution this year either. In a relatively weak NFL Draft class at QB, they hold the 21st overall pick, shifting their focus to free agents like Aaron Rodgers or a reunion with Wilson instead. However, in either case, the team has a prerequisite as part of the ordeal.

Pittsburgh Steelers Have 1 Clear Demand From Their Next QB

So far, only one name has been circled in conversations for the next quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers: four-time MVP and former Super Bowl champion Aaron Rodgers could be moving from East Rutherford, N.J., to Pittsburgh.

However, with most free agency moves done and dusted, the delay in this decision has left fans wondering about the probable cause. NFL and Pittsburgh insider Gerry Dulac revealed some of the process behind the ongoing negotiations.

Regarding the slow-moving process, Dulac said, “Sources said the delay in the Steelers’ discussion with Rodgers was not about the money.” However, what might be causing a problem is the non-negotiable demand that Pittsburgh has in these discussions.

“Two things are certain: No matter which option they choose, they will not give any quarterback they bring in anything more than a one-year contract. That is what the Steelers are offering Rodgers.”

After the year he had with the New York Jets, it is not hard to imagine why the Steelers would be wary. But with the demand for a starting-caliber QB far higher than the supply, the decision is a bit puzzling from the franchise’s perspective.

Last year, for all of his weaknesses, Rodgers still finished eighth in the league in passing yards with 3,897 yards. He was tied for seventh in touchdowns (28) and was 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric (72.2, C-). While not as efficient as he was in his prime, that is a mark very few players in history can reach.

However, the Steelers’ desire to hand out a one-year deal for the veteran seems set in stone. If they want to continue their run of playoff appearances and Mike Tomlin’s no-losing-seasons streak, they need improvements on the offensive side of the ball.

After finishing 25th last season in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, it will be hard for the defense to once again shoulder the team’s load. Unless they’re ready for a full reset, it appears unlikely that Pittsburgh can find a guy who meets all their demands.

Could Pittsburgh Pair a Rookie With a Veteran QB?

While Rodgers is undoubtedly removed from the MVP form he showed in Green Bay for a decade, he’s still a viable option even on the other side of 40. This led to him being ranked as the No. 53 free agent available this offseason according to PFSN’s Top 121 NFL Free Agent Rankings. He received a risk-level grade of “medium.”

“He used to be a talent elevator and now likely needs to be elevated by the talent around him. Rodgers posted the lowest aDOT of his career in 2024 alongside his lowest deep touchdown rate,” wrote PFSN’s Stats and Insights team.

“The late-season play was encouraging, and the downside is minimal. Rodgers had 130 pressured attempts last year, and not a single one of them was intercepted. He profiles as a steadying force for a team that is otherwise set to make a run.”

While the Steelers likely want to prioritize a one-year deal in order to have as much flexibility as possible during the 2026 offseason, they could still be in the market for a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft, whether it’s as an option for the future or a long-term backup.

If the Steelers want to find a backup of the future, players like Will Howard, Kyle McCord, and Riley Leonard, among others, could be options in the middle-to-late rounds of the NFL Draft. While none of them profile as franchise options, they could be a QB2 of the future, learning behind a veteran and alongside Mason Rudolph, who returned to the Steel City this offseason on a two-year deal.

However, the Steelers could also look for a potential long-term option like Jalen Milroe or Jaxson Dart, who may not be ready to start in 2025 but could develop into a starting option after their veteran’s one-year deal is up. If Shedeur Sanders does slide down draft boards as rumors have indicated, it would not be surprising to see Pittsburgh make a play.

In PFSN’s latest seven-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft from Jacob Infante, the Steelers selected McCord in the fifth round with the No. 156 pick.