As the Pittsburgh Steelers prepare to attend the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, much attention remains fixed on the quarterback situation under the leadership of first-year head coach Mike McCarthy. Although the team holds the 21st overall pick in the first round and could opt to draft a quarterback, their primary objective appears to be bringing Aaron Rodgers back for a second season.
The decision ultimately rests with Rodgers, who faces several possibilities: continue playing with the Steelers, sign elsewhere, or retire and eventually secure a place in the Hall of Fame. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, it is clear the Steelers see value in retaining him, even if his impact may be limited.
Bill Barnwell Questions Rodgers’ Potential and Steelers’ Ambitions
ESPN analyst Bill Barnwell recently categorized Rodgers in Tier 4 among free agent quarterbacks, labeling him a borderline starter or high-level backup. This group includes players like Malik Willis and Jimmy Garoppolo, indicating skepticism about Rodgers’ ability to significantly elevate the Steelers’ offense.
“Rodgers’ value goes down as he continues to step onto the field, with the future Hall of Famer offering virtually no ceiling for a Steelers team that remains desperate to make the playoffs and entirely incurious about what it would be like to go any further,”
Barnwell wrote.
“For these Steelers, the mid-40s version of Rodgers is the perfect quarterback.”
At 42 years old, Rodgers is viewed as unlikely to provide the offensive upside needed to transform the Steelers into a true contender. While he produced key moments last season, such as the game-winning touchdown in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens and several strong fourth-quarter drives, his role is largely considered that of a placeholder rather than a franchise-changing player.
Rodgers as a Bridge Quarterback and Strategic Considerations
Despite these doubts, Rodgers offers the Steelers continuity and experience. Comfortable within McCarthy’s offensive approach and familiar with the team’s dynamics, he represents a practical bridge quarterback option. This allows Pittsburgh to remain competitive while seeking a long-term solution at the position without making a costly commitment. Rodgers’ likely affordable contract value on the open market further supports his candidacy for a return.
Challenges Loom in Retaining Running Back Kenneth Gainwell
While bringing Rodgers back might be straightforward, re-signing running back Kenneth Gainwell poses a greater challenge. Barnwell placed Gainwell in Tier 4 of free agent running backs, classifying him similarly as a borderline starter or high-end backup despite his status as the Steelers’ 2025 MVP.
The recent extension of Javonte Williams by the Dallas Cowboys, a three-year, $24 million deal, helps establish market expectations for Gainwell, who attracted considerable interest during his first season in Pittsburgh.
“Gainwell was always a part-time back during his time with the Eagles, but by the end of his lone year in Pittsburgh, he had emerged as Aaron Rodgers’ most frequent target,”
Barnwell noted.
“Offenses probably don’t want to build as much of their passing game out of swing screens and checkdowns to Gainwell as the Steelers did, but he can catch the football and posted a 47.4% success rate as a runner last season, the sixth-best rate in the league among backs with 100 carries or more.”
As a reliable offensive weapon both as a receiver out of the backfield and as a rusher, Gainwell’s performance exceeded expectations relative to his low initial contract of $1.79 million in free agency last year. Now poised to command a higher salary, his continued presence alongside Jaylen Warren could maintain the Steelers’ strong backfield depth.
Uncertainty Surrounding Pittsburgh’s Roster Moves and Offensive Direction
The Steelers face important decisions regarding their roster composition and offensive identity moving forward. Maintaining familiar and affordable contributors like Rodgers and Gainwell could help stabilize the team during a transitional period under Coach McCarthy. However, questions about the ceiling these veterans offer—and whether the team is ambitious enough to pursue greater success—remain prevalent among observers.
How the Steelers navigate these choices will critically influence their pursuit of playoff contention and long-term growth, as they balance immediate competitiveness with the search for the next franchise quarterback.
