The Pittsburgh Steelers dipped their toes in the dual-threat QB waters when they traded for Justin Fields in 2024, but general manager Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin weren’t willing to fully commit big money to the part-time starter this offseason, instead signing a much more immobile quarterback in Aaron Rodgers.
Similarly, they passed up the chance to draft Alabama dual-threat Jalen Milroe in April, despite Tomlin often hinting that he’d prefer a more athletic signal-caller long-term.
So, with Rodgers playing out a one-year deal, will Tomlin finally land the athletic franchise QB he’s been dreaming about next offseason?
During an early 2026 mock draft, NFL analysis site Pro Football Network predicted that the Steelers would spend their first-round pick (No. 19 overall) on South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
“Sixth-round pick Will Howard was a solid flier, but the Pittsburgh Steelers may still be searching for their next franchise quarterback,” PFN analyst Jacob Infante wrote.
“Though LaNorris Sellers isn’t the consensus QB1 in the 2026 class, he might have the best physical tools of any quarterback in college football,” he continued. “Sellers is strong-armed, athletic, tough to sack, and more accurate than he gets credit for.”
LaNorris Sellers Rushed for Over 650 Yards in 2024
Sellers would bring a rushing ability to the position reminiscent of Fields. And what better way to replace Aaron Rodgers? Let’s say Pittsburgh falls short of a Super Bowl yet again, while also watching modern offenses with athletic quarterbacks continue to succeed around the sport.
The 2025 campaign could be the final straw, and perhaps Sellers is the long-term answer that the Steelers have been searching for.
In his first full season as the starter in 2024, Sellers threw for 2,534 yards and 18 touchdowns with the Gamecocks, while also rushing for an enticing 674 yards and 7 TDs. Sellers was credited with a cumulative quarterback rating of 151.9 last year.
It’ll be interesting to see if he’s able to raise his draft stock even higher, taking another step forward in 2025.
Does Rookie QB Will Howard Ever Get His Shot With Steelers as an Alternative to Aaron Rodgers?
Most assume the Steelers will select a new franchise QB next April, whether that’s Sellers or someone else. It’s expected to be a strong quarterback class, and Pittsburgh has been building up draft capital in preparation for a big move.
With that in mind, two quarterbacks could get lost in the shuffle: Howard and Mason Rudolph.
Sadly, both Steelers quarterback prospects — new and old — saw their best opportunity to earn the starting role slip away when Rodgers finally elected to sign ahead of mandatory minicamp.
Now, their only chance to see the field is likely one of two scenarios:
- Rodgers suffers an injury that sidelines him for multiple weeks.
- Rodgers’ Steelers are far worse than expected and fall out of the playoff race quickly.
Scenario B feels far less likely, considering the combination of Fields and Russell Wilson led Pittsburgh to a playoff berth last season behind the strength of a top-notch Steelers defense that has only gotten better in 2025. Which leaves scenario A, potentially, as their best chance to display their ability before next year’s draft.
Sure, it’s possible Pittsburgh allows Howard and Rudolph to compete for the Week 1 job next summer — in a world where Rodgers is replaced by a first-round pick. But draft status will eventually win out if that happens.
Meaning, Howard and/or Rudolph would just be glorified placeholders if they won the job.
In all likelihood, if Rodgers stays healthy and performs reasonably well, Howard will not see the field as a rookie. Which begs the question: Will he ever be given a legitimate shot to develop into the Steelers’ starting quarterback?
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