The Pittsburgh Steelers are no strangers to quarterback turnover in recent years, and their latest move adds another wrinkle to a position room that’s already seen its fair share of change. With the AFC North-leading Steelers firmly in the playoff hunt, they’ve brought back a familiar face: John Rhys Plumlee, who returns to the practice squad as the team looks to solidify depth behind veteran starter Aaron Rodgers.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Pittsburgh’s 2024 season had its moments of promise.
The team leaned on a quarterback tandem of Justin Fields and Russell Wilson to start the year, and for a while, it worked. The Steelers looked energized, competitive, and capable of making a run.
But as the season wore on, the momentum faded. The offense sputtered late in the year, and Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes were dashed in a Wild Card loss to the Baltimore Ravens-extending a postseason win drought that dates back to 2016.
Fast forward to 2025, and the quarterback room has been completely reshaped. Fields is now with the New York Jets.
Wilson signed on with the New York Giants. And Pittsburgh made a bold move, bringing in four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to lead the offense.
So far, it’s paying off. Rodgers has the Steelers sitting atop the division, showing command, poise, and the kind of leadership that’s been missing from the position in recent years.
Behind Rodgers, the depth chart includes Mason Rudolph in the backup role and rookie Will Howard serving as the emergency third-string option. But now, the Steelers are reaching back into their 2024 archives and re-signing John Rhys Plumlee to the practice squad.
Plumlee, a former undrafted free agent, originally joined the Steelers after the 2024 draft. He didn’t stick around long, bouncing between practice squads around the league throughout the year. But Pittsburgh clearly saw enough in him to bring him back into the fold at a critical point in the season.
It’s a low-risk, potentially high-upside move. Plumlee brings athleticism and versatility to the quarterback room. While he’s still raw as a passer, his mobility and playmaking ability make him an intriguing developmental option-especially in a league that increasingly values quarterbacks who can extend plays and create outside of structure.
The signing also sparked some chatter among fans on social media. Some were surprised by the move, while others speculated it was a response to another player being claimed off waivers. Regardless of the reasoning, the message is clear: the Steelers want to make sure they’re covered at quarterback heading into the final stretch of the season.
Whether Plumlee ever sees the active roster remains to be seen. But in a year where quarterback depth has proven to be more important than ever, Pittsburgh is making sure they’re not caught unprepared.
Rodgers is the guy right now, and as long as he stays healthy, the Steelers will ride his arm as far as it can take them. But behind him, the team is quietly building out its contingency plans-and Plumlee is now part of that equation.
It’s another sign of a franchise that’s staying proactive, not reactive. And if the Steelers are serious about ending that playoff win drought, every roster spot matters-especially the ones behind center.