With quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ future with the Pittsburgh Steelers uncertain, the spotlight has shifted to the team’s next signal-caller. But former NFL legend Ben Roethlisberger believes Pittsburgh doesn’t need to rush its next quarterback move. Instead, he offered a clear and powerful take that involves the 24-year-old Will Howard and focuses on mentoring and building the roster first. 

While speaking on Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former Super Bowl champion discussed the major steps that Pittsburgh can take to handle its uncertain QB situation. 

“I don’t think it hurts to try and bring Aaron [Rodgers] back…for another year, for the reason of helping Will Howard to grow for another year,” he said. “If Aaron is like, ‘I’m out of it, I’m done,’ that’s scenario one. If Aaron is back, then I have no problem with Aaron coming back and helping Will Howard for another year. And if Will stays healthy, he’s your number two.”

Roethlisberger explained that while Aaron Rodgers would continue the starting role, Howard would get to learn and get meaningful reps during the preseason. However, if the 42-year-old moves on from Pittsburgh, then Roethlisberger sees Howard as the ideal option to take charge. In his view, the move would immensely benefit the team, especially if they bring in Mike McCarthy. He pointed out that he’s an “offensive-minded coach” and “understands the Steeler way.”

However, the former QB made it clear that the franchise should lean on low-cost veteran quarterbacks to guide Howard in Rodgers’ absence. He thinks players like Marcus Mariota or Carson Wentz could step in if injuries hit the room or Howard struggles on the field. Roethlisberger’s words make sense, considering he didn’t play last year after sustaining a hand injury during training camp. 

At Ohio State, the sixth-round pick did prove his mettle in his final year. He threw for over 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 73.1%. Still, shining on a stage as massive as the NFL requires constant development and composure. Meanwhile, Ben Roethlisberger strongly pushed back on the idea of drafting a quarterback for the next two or three years. 

“The issue that I see with a lot of teams is they get a quarterback, and they try to build around that quarterback,” he explained. “I think it should be the other way around.”

Instead, he believes Pittsburgh should build a strong roster. And then they should place the quarterback in a winning environment, like they once did with him. While Ben makes his assessment, the latest rumors suggest that Rodgers’ chapter with the Steelers has taken a new turn.

Aaron Rodgers may return to Pittsburgh under a familiar leadership

The Steelers’ lopsided wild-card loss to the Houston Texans raised a big question about Rodgers’ future with the team. Many believed the four-time MVP might not head back to Pittsburgh, and the view gained even more traction when head coach Mike Tomlin stepped down. After all, the veteran quarterback wanted to end his career as a champion under Tomlin’s leadership. 

However, new buzz suggests that Rodgers may return to his current team for the 2026 season. And it may have something to do with former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who has emerged as a standout contender for the Steelers’ head coach position. He reportedly turned down other interviews to focus solely on Pittsburgh. According to SNY’s Connor Hughes, McCarthy’s arrival could lure Rodgers back.

“I remember talking to Aaron Rodgers in the locker room toward the end of his tenure with the Jets,” he recounted. “He mentioned ‘Wherever Mike McCarthy ends up’ as a potential landing spot. Sure sounds like McCarthy is headed to the Steelers. Wonder if that gets Rodgers back for another year.”

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Pittsburgh has shown little progress in recent years. They finished with a 10-7 record in the last three seasons. However, Rodgers’ arrival on the team still helped him move past the playoff slump. He returned to the playoffs for the first time in four years. During the stretch, he was with the Packers and the Jets before moving to Pittsburgh. Moreover, Rodgers worked under McCarthy in Green Bay for over a decade and even won a Super Bowl.

While their partnership ended on rocky terms in 2018, they may have mended the fences. Now, if McCarthy lands in Pittsburgh, Rodgers’s comeback in black and gold may no longer look impossible.