Proposed Steelers signing lands $118 million Pro Bowl quarterback as Aaron Rodgers backup plan

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to figure out their quarterback situation at some point this offseason. The team added Ohio State signal-caller Will Howard in Round 6 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the 23-year-old isn't ready to be a starter yet and needs time to develop.

The Steelers are still in pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, but the 41-year-old could end up retiring instead of signing with Pittsburgh and playing another year. 

If Rodgers bails on them, Steelers Wire's Andrew Vasquez urges Pittsburgh to target free-agent quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

"Ryan Tannehill hasn't been on an NFL roster since 2023 — but he still remains one of the best free agent QBs available today. At best, the former Titans signal-caller could push Mason Rudolph for the starting job — and at worst, he'd be a fantastic backup who could even mentor sixth-round QB Will Howard," Vasquez wrote.

Tannehill hasn't played a snap of football since the 2023 season, where he started six games for the Titans before suffering an injury and being benched for Will Levis. He ended up finishing the year as Tennessee's starter in the final few contests, but wasn't retained by the team during the 2024 offseason.

During his time with the Titans, Tannehill was a solid starter who led the franchise to a lot of wins. The Texas A&M product won the AP Comeback Player of the Year award in 2019 after leading Tennessee to the AFC Championship Game and also helped Mike Vrabel's squad win the AFC South in 2020 and 2021.

If Tannehill still wants to play, the Steelers could emerge as a landing spot for the former Pro Bowler. Pittsburgh is running out of options at quarterback, and if Rodgers retires, every scenario would have to be considered.

Though he didn't suit up for a team last year, Tannehill may have one more season of serviceable play left in him and could be a decent stopgap quarterback for the Steelers. Obviously, adding the 2012 No.8 overall pick of the Miami Dolphins would be a last resort type signing by general manager Omar Khan.

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