The Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as one of the top landing spots for a former Super Bowl-winning quarterback with $242 million in career earnings, as the team’s outlook at quarterback remains unsettled heading into the 2026 offseason. As Pittsburgh prepares for the new season, uncertainty does not stem solely from roster depth, but also from the presence of a major variable — Aaron Rodgers — whose status continues to shape the team’s planning.

The Steelers’ quarterback room remains fluid. Rodgers is still very much part of the team’s internal scenarios for 2026, but questions surrounding his health, readiness, and the broader contingency planning have made it clear the organization cannot afford to rely on a single outcome. For a franchise built to compete immediately, preparing for every possible scenario is not optional — it is essential.

That reality has led analysts to link Pittsburgh with Russell Wilson. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, the Steelers represent one of the most logical destinations for Wilson at this stage of his career. The envisioned role is not to seize a long-term QB1 job, but to serve as a “bridge quarterback” — a stabilizing presence should the variable at quarterback fail to align as expected.

Wilson, now 37, is no longer viewed as a franchise cornerstone. During the 2025 season, he started three games for the New York Giants, throwing three touchdowns and three interceptions before being benched. Still, his résumé — nine Pro Bowl selections and a Super Bowl championship — continues to carry weight, particularly in locker rooms with championship ambitions.

For the Steelers, that experience carries added value. With Rodgers remaining an unresolved variable for the upcoming season, Pittsburgh prioritizes options that ensure the team is never caught unprepared. A veteran quarterback in this context is not about replacement, but about protecting organizational stability.

Head coach Mike Tomlin addressed the philosophy without naming names, but the message was unmistakable.

“After a season filled with adjustments, you realize just how much the quarterback position influences everything — from practice tempo to Sunday confidence to belief inside the locker room. When that position is stable, the entire team breathes differently. Every option we’re evaluating is about preserving that stability and making sure we’re never caught off guard.”

Financially, the move remains sensible. Spotrac projects Wilson to command a one-year deal in the $5–6 million range — a modest commitment that preserves flexibility while providing insurance. For Pittsburgh, it represents preparation rather than overreach.

The message from the Steelers is clear: Aaron Rodgers remains a critical variable, but the season will not hinge on a single scenario. In an NFL defined by sudden change, preparation — not assumption — is what separates control from regret.