From no starting QB to four on the roster: The Steelers’ plan ahead of Training Camp

The Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t know who their starting quarterback will be for the 2025 NFL season. As of now, the AFC North team has only Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson on the roster, but general manager Omar Khan has confirmed they plan to head into training camp with four quarterbacks.

The Steelers have been considered front-runners to sign veteran Aaron Rodgers, but the former Packers and Jets quarterback has yet to make a decision, with retirement still on the table. With that in mind, Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin spoke to the media ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft to share their strategy at the quarterback position.

“We discussed in Palm Beach a couple of weeks ago. We go to camp with four quarterbacks,” said Khan. “Right now, we have two on the roster. All options are on the table on how we acquire those last two. I assure you we’ll have four when we get to Latrobe.”

The most cost-effective option for the Steelers is to draft a quarterback on a rookie contract. The team, based in southwestern Pennsylvania, holds six picks in the upcoming draft: No. 21 (1st round), No. 83 (3rd round), No. 123 (4th round), No. 156 (5th round), No. 185 (6th round), and No. 229 (7th round).

Some of the top quarterback prospects include Cam Ward (Miami Hurricanes), Shedeur Sanders (Colorado Buffaloes), and Jaxson Dart (Mississippi Rebels). However, it’s unlikely any of them will still be available when the Steelers make their first selection.

Top quarterbacks in free agency

The Steelers’ free agent options at quarterback are somewhat limited. If they don’t land Rodgers, potential alternatives include Carson Wentz, Teddy Bridgewater, Tyler Huntley, Desmond Ridder, C.J. Beathard, Brett Rypien, and Jeff Driskel. Among them, only Wentz, Bridgewater, and Ridder have significant starting experience in the NFL.

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