The Pittsburgh Steelers are at a pivotal point in their quarterback situation, and Ben Roethlisberger may just have a strategy that could guide them through this uncertainty.
During a recent appearance on the Deebo & Joe podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champion elaborated on what he believes the Steelers should prioritize in their quarterback hunt this season.
The clear frontrunner for the Steelers is Aaron Rodgers. Last year, he propelled the team to an AFC North title, yet he’s now a free agent, leaving many to ponder his next move. While some former Steelers, like Rod Woodson, show impatience regarding Rodgers’ decision, Roethlisberger takes a measured approach.
As a former quarterback himself, Roethlisberger understands the complexities behind Rodgers’ choice, as long as it arrives before the draft.
“There’s a lot of factors involved with this whole thing,” Roethlisberger noted. “I would think and hope that Aaron would give a decision by the draft.”
Should Rodgers choose retirement, the Steelers would be left with only Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on their roster, indicating a pressing need for another quarterback. Roethlisberger has a name he believes could fit well into that mix.
Potential Veteran QB Targets if Rodgers Retires
If Rodgers decides against returning, Roethlisberger recommends that the Steelers pursue a veteran quarterback. While high-profile names like Kirk Cousins, Jimmy Garoppolo, and Russell Wilson are still available, Big Ben suggests a less conventional route.
“Here’s something I would consider that happened recently,” Roethlisberger said. “Josh Dobbs just got released by New England. I would strongly—if Aaron is not coming back—I’d love to bring a veteran guy in like Dobbs, who’s been here. Obviously a new system, not the same coaching staff, but bring a veteran guy in.”
Dobbs may not be the first name that leaps to mind for most fans, but his addition could prove strategic. He originally began his NFL journey with the Steelers in 2017, drafted in the fourth round. Spending the majority of his initial six seasons in Pittsburgh makes him familiar with the organization. His previous experience as Roethlisberger’s teammate likely explains Roethlisberger’s endorsement.
Having majored in aerospace engineering at Tennessee, Dobbs has demonstrated he can rapidly grasp complex playbooks, a necessity given that he’d need to adapt to Mike McCarthy’s offensive scheme.
Roethlisberger supports the idea of acquiring a veteran quarterback, particularly if it circumvents the need for an early draft pick on a quarterback, should Rodgers retire.
“I don’t think the Steelers should draft a quarterback early in this draft by any means. If you want to try and grab one in the fourth or somewhere just to add someone,” Roethlisberger advised.
If the Steelers do move forward with Dobbs, it’s clear to Roethlisberger that his role should be as a veteran backup, as he has a different name in mind for the starting quarterback.
Roethlisberger’s Vision for Starting QB if Aaron Rodgers Retires
Roethlisberger strongly believes that if Rodgers departs, the starting role should be handed to Will Howard.
“I’m a big Will Howard fan. I’d love to give Will Howard a chance,” Roethlisberger expressed. “I think he’s a guy who’s a proven winner in college. I think he can come here and do it.”
Should Rodgers retire, Big Ben advocates for giving Howard a real opportunity, allowing for two to three years of trial and error.
“I’d ride with Will Howard for a couple of years, give him a chance, keep building this team around him,” Roethlisberger continued. “And if it doesn’t work, guess what? In two years, the draft is loaded with quarterbacks, go get a guy in the first round, and because it didn’t work with Will, you’re probably going to be drafting higher.”
Although originally a sixth-round pick for the Steelers in 2025, Howard didn’t see any game action during his rookie season.
In discussing Howard’s prospective starting role, Roethlisberger suggests a shift in how teams should construct their rosters.
“So many teams nowadays get a quarterback and they try to build around their quarterback,” he remarked. “I think that’s backwards. I think you should build a team and plug a quarterback into it, because then if the quarterback doesn’t work, I mean, Kyler Murray, number one overall pick. He didn’t even last [in Arizona].”
So how does this philosophy intersect with Howard and the Steelers?
“If you build a team and you put Will Howard into it, well, if it doesn’t work, we’ll go draft a guy, put him into it. You have a team,” he stated. “I was blessed to come to a team that was already established. Veteran line, veteran offense, veteran defense, great defense and it really was just about let’s plug a quarterback in. And I was able to get plugged in and play.”
Under Roethlisberger’s outline, the Steelers would position themselves with Howard for the next two years and reassess thereafter.
Big Ben’s Take on Aaron Rodgers’ Future
So, what does Roethlisberger predict for this year’s quarterback situation in Pittsburgh?
Having played in the NFL until he was 39, Roethlisberger has a hunch that the 42-year-old Rodgers will return for at least one more season.
“Deep down, I feel like Aaron’s going to play,” Roethlisberger said.
With the Steelers acquiring several offensive players this offseason—including free agent Rico Dowdle and the trade for Michael Pittman—Roethlisberger believes these moves paired with the potential reunion with new Steelers coach Mike McCarthy could sway Rodgers toward a comeback.
“I mean, they’re surrounding him, they’re giving him some great weapons,” Roethlisberger said. “I think the McCarthy factor, I know there have been some reports of them butting heads in the past, but I think they’ve made up. So, I don’t know what’s going on there, but deep down, I feel like Aaron’s going to come back.”
The Steelers clinched the AFC North last season with Rodgers, and after an impressive initial campaign in Pittsburgh, Roethlisberger doesn’t believe that the future Hall of Famer is ready to walk away just yet.
