The Pittsburgh Steelers could be on the quarterback carousel again this offseason. If adding a veteran for the third consecutive year interests the organization, Arizona Cardinals signal-caller Kyler Murray could be emerging as a possible trade target.
On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton called the Steelers a potential suitor for Murray.
“Teams like the New Orleans Saints, New York Jets and Cleveland Browns may opt to draft a quarterback. These clubs have multiple 2026 first-rounders or will likely hold top picks in the upcoming draft,” added Moton.
“Murray, whose contract carries another year of guaranteed money, would be an ideal fit for a squad that needs a quarterback, but isn’t in a position to draft a top prospect.”
The Steelers are likely to fit that description. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers will turn 42 years old in December and has previously indicated the 2025 campaign will be his final season.
Entering Week 10, the Steelers own a 5-3 record. So, unless they completely collapse, they won’t have a top 10 pick next spring.
The Cardinals placed Murray, who signed a five-year, $230.5 million contract in 2022, on injured reserve Wednesday. With that decision, pundits are already arguing the quarterback faces an uncertain future in Arizona.
Murray is dealing with a lingering foot injury.
Steelers Named Potential Suitor for QB Kyler Murray
Moton referred to the Carolina Panthers as the ideal landing spot for Murray. But he also named the Las Vegas Raiders and Steelers “other potential suitors.”
“General manager Monti Ossenfort will need to make a crucial decision on Murray’s future in the offseason, and it could result in a blockbuster quarterback trade. Remember, the Cardinals‘ current regime inherited Murray from the previous administration,” wrote Moton.
“If the Cardinals trade Murray, the two-time Pro Bowler should fetch multiple first-rounders because of his accolades at the most valuable position in the sport.”
It’s not clear if the Steelers would be interested in Murray should he become available this spring. Based on the past two offseasons, though, it seems unlikely general manager Omar Khan would pursue acquiring an expensive quarterback for two first-rounders.
While the Steelers have been on the veteran quarterback carousel, the Denver Broncos paid almost all of Russell Wilson’s contract last season. Rodgers also only cost $13.65 million to sign for the 2025 campaign.
The Steelers reportedly pursued quarterbacks in the trade market last March. But they didn’t land any. The team also balked at signing Sam Darnold and Justin Fields at contract values deemed to have risk at the time.
Will Aaron Rodgers Return to Steelers for 2026 Season?
It’s been widely assumed Rodgers was only going to spend one year with the Steelers and then retire. The future Hall of Fame quarterback strongly indicated in June that was his plan.
“I’m pretty sure this is it. That’s why we just did a one-year deal,” Rodgers said on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “Steelers didn’t need to put any extra years on that or anything. So, this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I’ve had.”
Because Rodgers has played well to begin the 2025 season, though, speculation has already begun he could return for 2026.
Steelers defensive captain Cameron Heyward voiced after Week 7 that the quarterback shouldn’t retire this winter.
“Kudos to Aaron. Big respect there,” Heyward said on his Not Just Football podcast on October 22. “Dude needs to keep playing.”
Whether Rodgers could return to Pittsburgh in 2026 likely depends on a lot of things.
First, he will have to continue playing well. Secondly, Rodgers is probably only going to return if the organization can compete for a championship.
Therefore, the Steelers may have to be better on defense to end this season. Pittsburgh could also need to add another receiver to improve offensively in the offseason.
Rodgers coming back for 2026, though, does appear a lot more likely than it did several months ago. Because of the cost it would take to acquire Murray, the Steelers may strongly prefer a Rodgers return.
Steelers Named Potential Suitor for $230 Million QB to Replace Aaron Rodgers