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Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) audibles during the second half of an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
We still don't know if Aaron Rodgers will return in 2026 to be the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback, and the NFL Draft is nearly upon us.
With Mike McCarthy heading into his first draft in the black-and-yellow chair, how the franchise approaches it makes for interesting viewing.
I've seen the offensive line, quarterback, and receiver mentioned as needs for the Steelers, but it isn't clear which way the franchise is leaning.
But ESPN's Peter Schrager thinks he has an idea, and in his latest mock draft, Pittsburgh takes Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling.
"The expectation is Aaron Rodgers will be back," Schrager wrote. "Pittsburgh has to make sure the protection is right with a 42-year-old quarterback, even if Rodgers gets the ball out quickly again. Freeling started for only a season and a half in college, but he's athletic and has a lot of starter-level traits."
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Rodgers gets boosted protection
As we saw last season, Rodgers doesn't want to be running for his life to avoid the pass rush. At 42 years old, that is only going to end one way...No. 8 getting hunted down.
So it makes sense for the Steelers to fortify his protection, because, despite his age, giving Rodgers a clean pocket is nightmare fuel for a defense.
Yes, receiver could also be a need, but with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. on the roster, that might be seen as a later round sort of pick.
If Rodgers does return, which Schrager thinks is now the expectation, having him protected feels like the smart move here.
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