The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in quarterback purgatory. They haven’t won a playoff game in nine years, but they also haven’t been bad enough to force a true rebuild. It’s like being on a treadmill — plenty of movement, but not getting anywhere.

This offseason, a true "franchise QB" move isn’t really on the table. The free-agent market is underwhelming, and the draft class doesn’t scream "instant star."

That means Pittsburgh has to get creative, which brings us to the two names dominating the conversation: Aaron Rodgers and Russell Wilson. One is a wild gamble with the potential to break the cycle of mediocrity, the other a steadier option that keeps the Steelers competitive — but not necessarily contenders.

So, what’s the right call? 

The Allure of Aaron Rodgers

When we talk about Aaron Rodgers, the conversation always starts with one undeniable truth: his ceiling is sky-high, even now. The Steelers, for better or worse, have been hovering around average since Ben Roethlisberger’s last days, so maybe it’s time for something — or someone — dramatically different to break the cycle.

There's no denying that drama has seemed to follow Rodgers around wherever he goes, and it's had an effect on his team. But with the Steelers, there's no guarantee that they'll have those issues. That's not to say that he won't be stirring the pot throughout the season, but with a firm culture in place, it might not have the same impact on the locker room.

If Rodgers were to come aboard, he’d be playing for a head coach in Mike Tomlin who has a reputation for handling players who come with a bit of "off-field baggage," which could be a nice fit considering Rodgers’s headline-grabbing controversies of late.

ESPN's Bart Scott, for one, believes Rodgers is the quarterback who can finally get the Steelers over the hump. 

"I believe that Aaron Rodgers has to be the guy that can get them over the hump. Because if Mike Tomlin can get you there with Justin Fields, Kenny Pickett, Aaron Rodgers may be enough to win you one of these games."

Breaking the Status Quo

Signing Rodgers wouldn’t just make for a fun storyline; it would be a legitimate shift away from the team’s rut. Ever since Roethlisberger’s decline, the Steelers have struggled to break free from a sea of mediocrity. Rodgers would be a dramatic swing for the fences — maybe a home run, maybe a strikeout, but at least there’s a real chance to shake things up.

Let’s say things go south. Rodgers could flame out — he is 41 years old. 

If that happens, the Steelers end up with a miserable record but also a top-tier draft pick. In other words, it might finally force an organizational reset that pushes them to develop a young quarterback for the long haul. 

Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you truly rebuild, and Rodgers could inadvertently provide that path if he stumbles.

Potential Drawbacks

Speaking of 41 years old, this is football, not a wine cellar. Rodgers is coming off what many would call a disastrous two-year stretch with the Jets, capped by an Achilles tear. Sure, he still posted 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and nearly 4,000 yards (something the Steelers haven't seen since Big Ben left), but that didn't translate into wins.

Then there’s Rodgers the person, not just the quarterback. He’s never been shy about speaking his mind, which can rub teammates the wrong way. Will a younger Steelers locker room rally around a 41-year-old whose best days are behind him? And can he navigate the tricky AFC gauntlet to get the Steelers their first playoff win in nearly a decade?

The Familiarity of Russell Wilson

It’s not often you can call a Super Bowl-winning quarterback a "limited" choice, but that’s the situation with Russell Wilson. He’s spent enough time in Pittsburgh that fans more or less know what to expect: he’s got experience, he can still scramble when needed (sort of), and he’s shown the occasional flash that makes you wonder if he could reach Pro Bowl form again. But that wasn't enough.

Wilson’s second half last season had its moments of promise. We saw glimpses of the old Russell Wilson who could keep plays alive and pull a rabbit out of his hat when the team needed it most.

He still throws one of the best deep balls along the sideline in the league — he might never lose the moon-ball. But outside of a few of those hitting for big gains and some screens and slants breaking loose, there wasn't much that stood out in his play.

Limited Upside

Let’s not sugarcoat it: losing five straight games, including a playoff stumble against the Ravens, is going to be the lasting image for the Steelers' brass as they look to make a decision for 2025. 

The offense couldn’t crack 20 points in that skid, and much of that has to fall at the feet of the quarterback. Wilson held onto the ball too long, refused to test the middle of the field, and coughed up turnovers at the worst times. Bart Scott talked about his limitations on Get Up:

"You can’t manufacture enough points, and you think about the division which they play in. You think about Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson still ascending. So, Mike Tomlin, because he’s such a great coach, he can muddy up the game. But when you get to time where you know counts the most in the playoffs, you’re gonna find yourself falling short over and over again. So, to do the same thing and expect a different result, it’s a true definition of insanity."

Another .500 season under Wilson’s leadership could leave the Steelers picking in the middle of the draft, again. In other words, rinse and repeat the same old storyline their fanbase has been living with. If the Steelers ever want to truly compete for a Lombardi again, they might need to take a step backward first.

Wilson and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith just never seemed to click. The communication wasn’t great, and their offensive philosophies didn’t quite line up, leaving the Steelers' attack looking out of sync. 

The Verdict

No one’s saying Rodgers is a guaranteed ticket to the Super Bowl. But if you’re looking for a higher ceiling, he’s still got it. Even with the risks — injuries, age, and a colorful personality — Rodgers can elevate a team in a way Wilson can’t seem to replicate at this stage in his career. If you’re going for a splash, Rodgers is the bigger rock to throw into the pond.

The Steelers have been spinning in neutral for a while, and Rodgers represents the kind of major shake-up that can change a franchise’s trajectory. Yes, it brings the media circus. Yes, it brings the prime-time hype and jersey sales. But most importantly, it just might be the jolt needed to break out of the rut of average seasons.

The Time for Playing It Safe Is Over

If you’re the Pittsburgh Steelers, you have to ask yourself one simple question: Are you aiming for greatness, or is nine wins a year enough? 

Russell Wilson’s path is the safer one. You’ll get a professional quarterback who probably won’t implode the team, but can't take you anywhere special, either. 

Rodgers, on the other hand, is like stepping onto a roller coaster — you might regret it once you’re strapped in, but you’re guaranteed a wild ride that could end in triumph.

Steelers Nation deserves some excitement. Despite his quirks, injuries, and the swirling drama that seems to follow him, Rodgers has enough magic left in his arm to make the Steelers relevant again. If he flops, at least Pittsburgh will have clarity: time to rebuild and move on. But if he delivers, we’re talking about a potential playoff push that breaks an agonizing streak of early exits and near-miss seasons.

Whether it’s boom or bust, at least the Steelers would finally be making a move that can shake the status quo.