Steelers Predicted to Land 4,000-Yard QB as Aaron Rodgers Replacement

With the Aaron Rodgers signing, the Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have bought themselves one year to find their next long-term solution behind center. Pro Football Sports Network’s Max Dorsey projected the Steelers to acquire that potential long-term answer with LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.

Dorsey predicted the Steelers to select Nussmeier at No. 19 overall in his newest 2026 NFL mock draft.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers did not address the quarterback position in the first two days of the 2025 NFL Draft, and Aaron Rodgers is a temporary solution. With Garrett Nussmeier falling into their lap here, this pick is a no-brainer,” wrote Dorsey.

“Out of all the highly touted quarterback prospects in this draft class, Nussmeier is the least physically gifted. That said, he’s a true point guard and dissects defenses both pre- and post-snap at a high level.

“While he doesn’t have the biggest arm, Nussmeier can still make all the downfield throws. If they were to select him, he would be the best young quarterback the Steelers have had in years.”

Last season, Nussmeier threw for 4,052 passing yards with 29 touchdowns and 12 interceptions for LSU. He averaged 7.7 yards per pass with a 64.2% completion percentage.

Nussmeier would presumably have an opportunity to play immediately. Rodgers signed a one-year deal in Pittsburgh and is expected to retire after the 2025 season.

There’s a long way to go before the 2025 NFL Draft. Quarterbacks such as Joe Burrow and Cam Newton were probably not even considered first-round picks, let alone possibilities for No. 1 overall, before their historic final college seasons.

So, a lot can change with one season.

Where the Steelers finish in 2025 will also greatly impact what quarterback the franchise could draft next spring. At No. 19 overall, Dorsey projected Pittsburgh to finish in the standings around where the team has been the past few years.

But through early studying, NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah argued Nussmeier has elements of Andy Dalton, Brock Purdy and Tony Romo in his game.

“There is a lot to like about Nussmeier’s game. It’s easy to notice how in command he is by the way he orchestrates the offense at the line of scrimmage. He lines everyone up properly and directs traffic based on what he sees from the defense. He’s a quick processor, regularly racing through progressions to find his third option. He has a tight/compact delivery and throws a soft/catchable ball,” wrote Jeremiah.

“I love his toughness to hang in the pocket and deliver strikes when absorbing big hits. He’s a clunky mover, but he still manages to evade free runners at times, creating outside of the play structure. He has excellent touch on the deep ball and is also adept on over/under throws (over linebackers/under safeties).”

Jeremiah argued Nussmeier needs to improve his accuracy and cut down on giveaways. His 12 interceptions led the SEC last season.

Again, it’s very early to project the 2026 NFL Draft. But early mocks unsurprisingly have the Steelers targeting quarterbacks.

On June 30, ESPN’s Matt Miller projected the Steelers to draft South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers at No. 16 overall.

First-round quarterbacks should continue to be a theme for Pittsburgh in 2026 mock drafts.

Rodgers will turn 42 years old in December. Additionally, he strongly suggested he will spend only one season with the Steelers.

“I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal,” Rodgers said on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show on June 24. “Steelers didn’t need to put an extra years on that or anything. So, this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had.”

The biggest question is will the Steelers aim or be able to move up the first-round board to draft a quarterback earlier than their first-round slot.

Pittsburgh possesses 12 picks for 2026, including three third-rounders. The team could potentially use that draft capital and/or 2027 selections to leap up the board to land the quarterback the organization wants most.