The Pittsburgh Steelers have been among the top-performing teams this season, boasting a 5-3 record in the AFC North. However, with QB Aaron Rodgers revealing his retirement plans, Mike Tomlin and Co. must intensify their efforts to find a replacement who allows them to compete at a high level next season. A fellow NFL team, which is battling quarterback troubles resulting in a 3-5 record, could emerge as a helping hand for Pittsburgh.

This franchise is speculated to be the Arizona Cardinals, who are gearing up for trade talks for dual-threat QB Kyler Murray. With injury issues consistently affecting the former Sooners’ QB, Adam Schefter revealed, “a separation is imminent.” Several teams have emerged as possible trade destinations, but the Pittsburgh Steelers have been deemed one of the favorites to land Murray, as per Bleacher Report. BR’s Kristopher Knox believes the 28-year-old could take the reins as the top replacement for Aaron Rodgers.

The report read, “Assuming Mike Tomlin is still the head coach in 2026, the Steelers will be looking to extend their run of relevance, and they’ll need a quarterback if Rodgers has decided to call it a career. Murray would probably be more of a game-manager in Pittsburgh, which could help with his development.”

The Steelers could maximise Kyler Murray’s dual-threat ability with their Arthur Smith-run offense. Throughout his tenure as one of the top offensive coordinators in the league, Smith has consistently favored a run-heavy offense, as seen during his time with the Tennessee Titans from 2019 to 2020. Those Tennessee teams were heavily dependent on running back Derrick Henry, which took some pressure off QB Ryan Tannehill.

Hence, with ESPN reports revealing the Steelers targeted New York Jets QB Justin Fields before moving to Aaron Rodgers, Kyler Murray could emerge as the next best possible option. Subsequently, Murray’s five-year, $230.5 million contract, which has two years remaining, would give Pittsburgh ample time to evaluate him before taking a call on their future.

Aaron Rodgers hints at a new retirement destination

Many thought the Pittsburgh Steelers would be Aaron Rodgers’s last team after he revealed the 2025-26 season would be his last season during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show in June. But the four-time MVP’s recent comments about his future have presented a new team for his farewell. As reported by Ryan Wood, Rodgers is eyeing his beloved Green Bay Packers as his last team.

Aaron Rodgers said, “Damn near everything good in my life is because of my football career, and my football career started there and will one day end there (Green Bay Packers).”

Green Bay drafted Aaron Rodgers with the 24th overall pick in 2005, after which he spent nearly two decades shaping the franchise’s identity. He replaced Brett Favre in 2008 and became the franchise player by winning Super Bowl XLV and four NFL MVP awards (2011, 2014, 2020, and 2021). But after his move to the New York Jets and now in Pittsburgh, a finale in Green Bay would make for the perfect ending to his illustrious career.