ESPN: Bizarre Decision From The Steelers Warrants Low Expectations During The 2026 Season

The Pittsburgh Steelers finally have their quarterback situation for the 2026 season solved, as Aaron Rodgers will officially be back for the final season of his legendary career. This should keep the Steelers afloat in the AFC, but expecting them to make any noise in the postseason would be wishful thinking. It will be a fun year as the veteran quarterback will have more weapons to use and probably a more reliable offensive line, which should lead to some more explosive plays. Rodgers played well enough in 2025, but he did leave room for improvement.

Pittsburgh went through another long and drawn out process with Rodgers during the 2026 offseason as the quarterback debated whether or not he wanted to continue his playing career. Many fans wanted the organization to move on, especially once the 2026 NFL Draft rolled around and there still wasn't a concrete answer about who would be the starting quarterback for the upcoming campaign. The Steelers could have chose to sign someone else in free agency, or another veteran that was released like Kirk Cousins, Tua Tagovailoa, or Kyler Murray, but the franchise chose to wait for Rodgers. 

ESPN analyst Benjamin Solak recently broke down Rodgers coming back to the Steelers, and he gave his thoughts on whether or not the organization made the right decision by waiting for the veteran.

"While free agency is never rich with elite passers, there were better options for the Steelers than this," Solak wrote. "Kyler Murray would have been an outright better and far cheaper player -- he signed with the Vikings for the veteran minimum of $1.3 million dollars. The likelihood Murray gets hot for a playoff run is quite small, but not nonexistent. With Rodgers, it practically is."

The issue isn't necessarily bringing Rodgers back. It's the fact that the Steelers had other options to consider that the organization seemingly kicked to the side. Murray was an intriguing option after he was released by the Arizona Cardinals. He would have been much cheaper as well, as Solak alluded to. He likely would have signed for the veteran minimum with the Steelers, as the Cardinals still owe him a ton of money. He wound up signing for the minimum with the Minnesota Vikings instead.

Murray is a former number one pick that has had some good years throughout his career. He is extremely mobile and is an exciting player to watch. His athletic ability would have added more to the offense in the Steel City for 2026. There is no denying Rodgers' legendary career, but he can barely move in the backfield at this stage. He is not the same player he once was, and taking a cheaper shot on a guy like Murray probably would have made more sense for the Steelers.

There is no telling if Murray would have even entertained signing in Pittsburgh, however. Minnesota is an attractive destination with a wide receiver like Justin Jefferson and a head coach like Kevin O'Connell. It would have been nice to see the organization pursue an opportunity like bringing in Murray though. The upside is way higher with a player of his caliber.

Can The Steelers Have Postseason Success With Aaron Rodgers?

Rodgers showed what he could do in 2025 and the season ended in ugly fashion, as Pittsburgh got blown out in the postseason playing the Houston Texans. Rodgers had no answers for that defense, and he could barely move as he was rushed from every direction. Murray not have the same level of experience or playoff success as Rodgers, but taking on the elite pass rushes that are present in the playoffs is where his play could be intriguing. 

What do you think of this point from Solak? Let me know on X, @brogannoey!

#SteelerNation