The most common narrative for the Pittsburgh Steelers pertaining to the quarterback is this. Aaron Rodgers takes this offense as far as he can before he moves into the woods to never be seen again and the Steelers make a huge move in the 2026 NFL draft to secure a future franchise quarterback.
But what if this doesn’t work that way? What if Rodgers does his part, rides off into the sunset but the Steelers aren’t sold on the 2026 quarterback class in the NFL draft? We’ve talked up how much we like several of the top quarterback prospects but a lot can happen over the next nine months.
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If the 2025 season ends and the Steelers are suddenly quarterback shopping, the draft isn’t the only choice they have. The Steelers could instead look for a veteran quarterback who is a pending 2027 free agent and likely in a contract negotiation with their current team. If the two sides are haggling about money, Pittsburgh could swoop in. Here are three guys we will be keeping an eye on.
Bryce Young – Carolina Panthers
Young started to turn the corner late last season but hasn’t played to the level of the No. 1 overall pick. Carolina has put him in a great position to win in 2025 but if things don’t go according to plan, Young and all that potential could be looking for a fresh start.
Anthony Richardson – Indianapolis Colts
Richardson’s athleticism and raw talent have never been in question, but he’s been slow to adjust to the nuances of being an NFL quarterback and show elite decision-making. If he can’t show enough growth in 2025, he might be looking for a new home to find a scheme that fits him better.
Yep, you read that right. We didn’t want to see Fields leave the Steelers and he has a chance to make the Steelers look foolish in 2025. Fields might blow up in 2025 and demand a huge raise, which the Jets might not go for an decide to put him on the market.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 3 2027 FA quarterbacks the Steelers could trade for in 2026