The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing everything they can to snap a playoff win drought that’s stretched all the way back to 2016. And with the postseason looming, the team is clearly leaving no stone unturned.
After a 2024 season that saw both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson take snaps under center, the Steelers knew they needed a more definitive answer at quarterback. Fields and Wilson each had their moments - flashes of the talent that made them high-profile names - but over the course of the season, neither could stake a firm claim to the job. So, Pittsburgh made a bold move in the offseason, bringing in four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers to stabilize the position and, ideally, lead a deep playoff run.
The Rodgers experiment has had its ups and downs. The Steelers currently sit at 8-6 with three games left to play - not dominant, but good enough to sit atop the AFC North.
That’s no small feat in one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions. But the journey hasn’t been smooth.
Rodgers suffered a broken wrist earlier this season in a game against the Bengals, and while he’s made his way back onto the field, his name continues to appear on the injury report. That lingering concern has the team thinking ahead.
Enter John Rhys Plumlee.
The Steelers re-signed the versatile WR/QB to the practice squad this week - a move that might seem minor on the surface but speaks volumes about the team’s mindset heading into the final stretch. Plumlee originally joined Pittsburgh in 2024 as an undrafted free agent and has since bounced around the league, spending time on various practice squads.
He’s not a name the Steelers hope to call on - and that’s no knock on Plumlee. It’s just the reality: if he’s taking meaningful snaps, something’s gone sideways.
Still, his return gives the team an extra layer of insurance behind Rodgers and rookie Will Howard. And in December football, especially with a playoff spot on the line, having that emergency option matters more than most fans realize.
This is a Steelers team that knows the stakes. They’ve built a roster that’s good enough to compete, and now they’re making sure they’re prepared for every scenario - even the ones they hope they never have to face.