Aaron Rodgers replacement linked with Steelers after demolishing NFL Combine records

Whether Aaron Rodgers stays at the Pittsburgh Steelers or not, the organization needs to look to the future.

That starts with finding a quarterback who could be the franchise cornerstone for years to come.

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That player may well turn out to be Taylen Green.

The Arkansas Razorback put on an NFL Scouting Combine to remember.

While the Combine is perhaps more important for prospects in other position groups than at quarterback, when someone posts numbers like Green did, heads will turn.

In the 40-yard dash, the 23-year-old recorded an official time of 4.36 seconds, as well as a broad jump of 11-foot-2 and a 43 1/2-inch vertical jump.

All three of these set records for quarterbacks since at least 2003, with Green surpassing the broad and vertical jumps of Indianapolis Colts backup Anthony Richardson Sr. in 2023.

Richardson recorded a 10-feet-9 broad jump and 40 1/2 inch vertical for context.

Former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III held the record for fastest 40 by a quarterback when he recorded a 4.41 at the 2012 combine.

According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper in his latest position rankings, Green is the No. 8-rated quarterback in the 2026 draft class, and will probably be taken on day two or three.

The 6-foot-5, 227-pound quarterback spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Boise State, where he racked up 3,794 passing yards, 25 touchdowns to 15 interceptions and rushed for an additional 1,026 yards and 19 scores.

Green transferred to Arkansas for his junior and senior years, where in 25 outings, he completed 60.5 percent of his passes for 5,868 passing yards, 34 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

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Getty

He also used his legs more often, rushing for 1,379 yards from 295 attempts and ran in 16 scores.

Green could thrive behind an established veteran

When evaluating Green’s traits, some scouts have identified gaining more consistency in his throwing motion as a key area for improvement in his game.

There’s no question that he’s an extremely raw prospect who will need to be afforded some time to acclimate to the NFL.

But, if the Steelers are able to entice Rodgers back to Pittsburgh for one more season before he calls time on his career, then Green would have a future Hall of Famer as a mentor.

Rodgers has also averaged 65.1 percent passing accuracy across his 21-year NFL career, a higher average than the league’s all-time greatest QB in Tom Brady (64.3 percent).

However, the 42-year-old’s future with the team – and in the league as a whole – is in doubt, despite the Steelers hiring his former coach at the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy, after Mike Tomlin walked away following almost two decades at the helm.

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Getty

While the general consensus is that Rodgers will return for Year 22, it is not a forgone conclusion.

Thus, the Steelers are also looking at the free agency market, and have been linked with No. 1 ranked free agent quarterback Malik Willis.

After two years as the backup to Jordan Love in Green Bay, Willis impressed during his limited opportunities to play under center.

Having been touted as a great replacement for Rodgers, the Steelers face of competition to land the 26-year-old signal caller, with the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins just two of a number of teams that have already expressed interest.

While Green may not be an immediate starter in the NFL, the Steelers could look to draft the Razorback as a future prospect, and spend some of the early parts of his career having him learn behind an established veteran.

Whom that could be, though, remains to be seen with the Steelers surely having all options available on the table.

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