Aaron Rodgers succession plan questioned as quarterback moves leave Steelers icon confused
Pittsburgh Steelers icon Ben Roethlisberger has been left uninspired by franchise plans for life after Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers, 42, is expected to stave off retirement for one more year, and return to the Black and Gold for 2026.
Once again, he’s kept the team waiting, and the Steelers have applied the rarely used UFA tender to make sure it would secure a compensatory pick ‘in the unlikely event he goes somewhere else.’
Rodgers impressed during his 2025 season, and threw 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions as he guided Pittsburgh to an AFC North title, before being dispatched by the Houston Texans in the postseason.
The four-time NFL MVP is set to reunite with new Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy — a man he knows very well from his days with the Green Bay Packers — as the pair look to win a playoff game in the Steel City for the first time since January 2017.
Roethlisberger was under center nine years ago when the team last tasted postseason success, and since retirement, he’s never been shy when it comes to giving his opinion about the state of his former team.
Following last week’s NFL Draft, which saw Pittsburgh take a swing on Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with a third-round pick (No. 76 overall), the two-time Super Bowl champion appeared far from convinced.
Steelers icon question Aaron Rodgers succession plan
“This (pick) is one that I’m not sure yet if I love it or hate it — and hate’s a strong word,” Roethlisberger said on his ‘Footbahlin’ podcast.
“There are a lot of really good players you can get in the third round.”
The six-time Pro Bowler went on to suggest that the Allar pick probably wasn’t anything to do with Rodgers’ impending decision, and that it’s more likely that the Steelers view him as one for ‘down the road.’
However, Roethlisberger is yet to be convinced on the limited exposure he’s had, and believes the rookie will be competing with second-year Will Howard in future.
“I don’t watch a lot of Penn State games. When I did watch, he never jumped off the page to me.
“Is he big? Can he move? Can he throw? Yeah. But there was never a time where I was like, ‘Whoa.’
“They’re going to bring him in to compete with Will Howard… let those young guys compete for the two and three job (behind Rodgers).
“This one, the jury’s out right now. Again, there was nothing that jumped off the page for me.
“Whether that’s good or bad, we’ll see.
“When I watch tape, or watched games, Will Howard jumped off the tape to me way more than Drew does. Third round, sixth round, it’s interesting.”
Steelers rookie lands comparison to NFL veteran
Roethlisberger might not be overly excited by the Allar pick, but some of those within the Steelers camp have taken a far more positive view.
In his draft recap for ESPN, Jeremy Fowler noted that Pittsburgh is ‘betting big’ on Coach McCarthy’s ability to develop quarterback talent, and turn the Penn State prospect into a solid NFL starter.
“With third-round quarterback Drew Allar, the Steelers are betting big on coach Mike McCarthy’s quarterback development to fix Allar’s footwork,” Fowler wrote Wednesday.
“‘He’s really got a good feel for what that takes,’ a team source said of McCarthy’s touch in this area.
“Pittsburgh believes Allar has similar arm talent to a young Joe Flacco.”
In 2026, the rookie will almost certainly be learning behind Rodgers, and that will no doubt help his development.
But once the veteran retires, it will be up to Allar or Howard to take up the mantle — and franchise legend Roethlisberger has already raised questions around that idea.
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