Baker Mayfield’s new deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers takes one of the Steelers’ most obvious future answers off the board.
Mayfield, 31, agreed to a three-year contract extension that keeps him from reaching free agency after this season. For Pittsburgh, that closes the door on a quarterback who suddenly looked like a realistic fit for the black and gold in the next offseason, and maybe the cleanest veteran solution the franchise could have found.
The timing matters because the Steelers still don’t have a clear long-term plan at quarterback. Heading into the 2027 offseason, Mayfield wasn’t necessarily sitting at the top of the list from the start.
But the way 2026 could unfold might have pushed him there by next spring. Instead, Pittsburgh now has to keep sorting through a much thinner group.
At the moment, the Steelers’ best bet in 2027 appears to be either a first-round rookie they believe can become the next franchise quarterback or Drew Allar. The 2026 third-round pick made solid progress during his rookie training camp and could enter next summer as the leading candidate to start if the team doesn’t add anyone else.
Will Howard could also be in the mix, and Mason Rudolph might have had a chance too, though that path seems less likely.
If Pittsburgh ends up as a real Super Bowl contender this season, the calculus changes again. A team that gets close to the AFC Championship Game or the Super Bowl won’t be eager to punt on the roster and hand everything to a rookie.
With T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward and Jalen Ramsey all set to return, plus young pieces like Nick Herbig, Joey Porter Jr. and Keeanu Benton continuing to develop into their second contracts, the Steelers would still have plenty to believe in.
In that scenario, Aaron Rodgers would retire after the season, and Pittsburgh would need a veteran to step in and keep the machine moving.
Mayfield fit that job better than anyone else on the board. He’s a playoff quarterback with 120 career starts and two Pro Bowls over the last three years.
Without him, the Steelers’ veteran options look a lot less inspiring. Rudolph would probably be next in line, and beyond that the list gets into names like Anthony Richardson, J.J. McCarthy and a few other quarterbacks whose current teams have already moved on from them early.
That’s not the kind of group that replaces Rodgers. Mayfield would have been.
Now Pittsburgh is left hoping Allar, Howard or another rookie can keep the direction steady in 2027. For a team that doesn’t believe in rebuilds, that’s a pretty heavy lift.
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Steelers Suddenly Face A Mason Rudolph Decision They Didn't Expect
Sam Darnolds hip injury in Seattle has quietly created a ripple effect that reaches all the way to Pittsburgh, where the Steelers are suddenly staring at a quarterback decision they didnt exactly plan for. Darnold was knocked out of the Seahawks season opener and Drew Lock stepped in to help finish off the win, which only sharpened the focus on veteran depth around the league and put a fresh spotlight on Mason Rudolphs place in the Steelers quarterback room.
Pittsburgh is reportedly open to trading Rudolph, and the Seahawks situation could make them a team worth watching if they want a seasoned option behind center. The Steelers currently have four quarterbacks on the roster, and with Seattle dealing with uncertainty under center, Pittsburgh may find itself weighing whether this is the right time to move a veteran or hold tight while the market sorts itself out. [Read more 🡒]
Aaron Rodgers Reignites Ugly NFL Media Fight On Cam Heywards Podcast
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Russini ultimately resigned from The Athletic, even as the outlets final report said her professional reporting was unbiased, and there are now indications she could try to return to NFL media. She also plans to speak publicly about the scandal, which keeps the story very much alive and leaves plenty of questions about how the fallout could shape both her comeback and the broader way football coverage handles its own controversies. [Read more 🡒]
Steelers Opener Suddenly Comes With A Big Tua Concern
The Steelers season opener already has the usual early-week nerves attached to it, and now the spotlight has shifted to Tua Tagovailoa after a concerning moment at Falcons practice. During individual drills, Tagovailoa briefly reached for his back and sat down, then stayed on the field without throwing again during the portion open to reporters, leaving the situation a little murky heading into game week.
Atlanta has not offered an official update, and for Pittsburgh the bigger question is whether the quarterbacks status changes by kickoff. The Falcons have already named Tagovailoa their starter for the opener, with Cooper Rush next in line if needed, but until there is more clarity, the Steelers will be preparing for a game plan that could hinge on how that back issue responds. [Read more 🡒]