The Steelers find themselves at a true crossroads - and not just in terms of wins and losses. As January winds down, Pittsburgh has two of its most high-profile positions wide open: head coach and starting quarterback. For a franchise that prides itself on stability, this is unfamiliar territory.
It’s now been nine straight seasons without a playoff win, and with Mike Tomlin stepping down after an emotional farewell in the locker room, the search is on for only the fourth head coach in the last 57 years. That kind of continuity is unheard of in today’s NFL, and it speaks to how seismic this moment really is for the organization.
But while the head coach opening is massive, the quarterback situation might be even more pressing. The Steelers are still searching for a long-term answer under center - the true heir to Ben Roethlisberger. And now, Big Ben himself is weighing in.
On his podcast Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former franchise QB laid out his vision for how Pittsburgh should approach the position in 2026. His suggestion? Bring in Aaron Rodgers - if he’s willing - and use him as a bridge to develop Will Howard.
“I don’t think it hurts to try and bring Aaron back if you can. If he wants to,” Roethlisberger said. “For the reason of helping Will Howard grow for another year.”
It’s not a surprising take from Roethlisberger, who knows firsthand the value of learning behind a seasoned veteran. In this scenario, Rodgers would take the reins for one more season while Howard, who didn’t see a single snap in 2025, would serve as the backup and get valuable reps in preseason and practice.
Howard, a sixth-round pick out of Ohio State, spent his rookie season as the Steelers’ emergency third quarterback. He was inactive on game days and missed the bulk of training camp and preseason due to a broken pinky on his throwing hand. But Roethlisberger sees real potential in the young signal-caller.
And there’s good reason for that optimism. In his lone season with the Buckeyes, Howard led Ohio State to the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, completing 73% of his passes - tops in the Big Ten - while also leading the conference in both passing yards (4,010) and touchdowns (35). That’s not just production; that’s top-tier performance in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
“If Aaron’s not in the scenario, I would go with Will Howard this year,” Roethlisberger added.
Still, even if Howard gets the nod, Roethlisberger believes the Steelers need to bring in a veteran presence to round out the quarterback room - someone who won’t rock the boat, can step in if needed, and is willing to help mentor a young QB.
“I would bring in a veteran quarterback, like a league-minimum type quarterback, that is a great teammate, can still help, you can plug and play if you need to,” he said.
He floated names like Kirk Cousins, Marcus Mariota, and Carson Wentz - all experienced veterans who’ve started meaningful games and could serve as stabilizing voices in the locker room. Notably, Roethlisberger didn’t mention Mason Rudolph, who returned to Pittsburgh in 2025, as part of that veteran mix.
Of course, who ultimately starts at quarterback will depend heavily on who the Steelers hire as their next head coach. That decision will shape the team’s offensive identity, its culture, and, ultimately, the trajectory of the franchise.
Six teams still have head coaching vacancies, including Pittsburgh. And with high-profile jobs in Baltimore and Buffalo also open, the Steelers will need to move decisively to land the right fit.
For now, the Steelers’ future remains unwritten. But if Roethlisberger’s blueprint is any indication, the path forward could involve a blend of veteran leadership and young promise - and maybe, just maybe, the next franchise quarterback is already in the building.