The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off yet another disappointing season, falling short early in the NFL playoffs and losing to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round.
In the aftermath of another early playoff exit, longtime head coach Mike Tomlin decided to step down, paving the way for Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy to take his dream job in his hometown, which some believe might convince four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers to come back for one more season.
Steelers Linked to Veteran QB Joe Flacco
GettyJoe Flacco #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals
With the Steelers still awaiting Rodgers’ decision to retire, return for another season in Pittsburgh or sign elsewhere, the team will need to explore other options at the quarterback position.
Apparently, one of those options is bringing in another veteran quarterback, who is on the wrong side of 40, in one-time Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The Bengals have expressed interest in re-signing quarterback Joe Flacco. They believe he’s a valuable backup who can be a viable starting option if Joe Burrow gets injured again. But Flacco will have options, possibly as a bridge quarterback elsewhere. The Vikings considered signing Flacco last offseason. And the Steelers will have an opening if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t re-sign there. Pittsburgh liked his free agency profile last offseason, too.
If Flacco proved anything during the 2025 NFL season, it’s that he still has some football left in him, even at 41 years old.
Obviously, Flacco is not a long-term option for the Steelers, nor is Rodgers, for that matter, but he might be a good stopgap for Pittsburgh until they find a player to build around through the NFL Draft or in NFL free agency.
In 13 games with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns during the 2025 campaign, Flacco threw for 2,479 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also earned a Pro Bowl selection for the first time in his NFL career.
NFL Insider Thinks Aaron Rodgers Will Return to Steelers
GettyAaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers congratulates Joe Flacco #16 of the Cincinnati Bengals
Much like he did last year after a disappointing stint with the New York Jets, Rodgers is taking his time to decide on whether he wants to play another season in the NFL.
Although all signs have pointed to him retiring after one season with the Steelers, that might not be the case, according to Mark Kaboly of The Pat McAfee Show.
“I think he will be their starting quarterback unless he comes to some kind of decision over the next month that he’s just done with football 100 percent,” Kaboly said on The PM Team. “This is him basically saying he’s coming back without him admitting he’s coming back.”
With Rodgers winning a Super Bowl under McCarthy, he might be more inclined to return to Pittsburgh for one more shot at winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy for a second time in his career.
At this point, Rodgers has accomplished more than enough in his NFL career that he’ll be a Hall of Famer regardless of what he chooses to do, so it’ll be interesting to see what he decides and whether the Steelers need to pivot ahead of the 2026 season.
Steelers Linked to AFC North Veteran QB While Awaiting Aaron Rodgers Retirement Decision