The Steelers worked out a major addition to their offense by agreeing to a trade for D.K. Metcalf on Sunday. The team’s quarterback setup is still in question, but a number of options are being considered. 
Pittsburgh remains in discussion with Justin Fields, but the team’s backup (for much of last season) is on track to test the market. The Jets loom as a strong suitor if Fields is to depart, and New York’s starter for the past two years could be an option to head to Pittsburgh. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Steelers are expected to discuss a deal with Aaron Rodgers.
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The four-time MVP will officially become a free agent once his post-June 1 release is processed at the start of the new league year later this week. Rodgers is free to speak with interested teams at any time, though, and the Seahawks (having agreed to trade away Geno Smith) are on the list of potential suitors. How Pittsburgh proceeds with Fields will be key, but the team will need to pivot quickly if the 26-year-old heads elsewhere.
Sam Darnold is on the Steelers’ radar, and working out a deal with the NFL’s top pending free agent would of course preclude a Rodgers addition. Seattle is believed to be preparing a strong push for Darnold, though, and the Titans could also be in the mix. In the event Pittsburgh were to fall short on the Darnold front, Rodgers could be a short-term fallback option. The 41-year-old is not certain to play in 2025, but he appears to be leaning in that direction.
Pittsburgh used Fields for the first six weeks of the season, and he had support in the building to remain atop the depth chart even after Russell Wilson was healthy. Head coach Mike Tomlin elected to install the former Super Bowl winner and kept him in place the rest of the way, however. That move is among the factors Fields is weighing as he contemplates re-signing with the Steelers, whose preference would be to turn to him instead of Wilson for 2025.
Rodgers’ 2023 campaign was limited to four snaps due to an Achilles tear. He remained available for all of last season, delivering capable performances at times while dealing with a number of nagging ailments. As a whole, the Jets’ offense did not meet expectations and the team’s decision to move on comes as no surprise. If Rodgers is to join a third career team, the Steelers will be among those to watch.
