The Pittsburgh Steelers' quarterback room heading into the 2025 season features Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson. The depth chart remains unsettled and will begin to take shape as training camp and the preseason get underway. While none of the three are locked into a starting role, all eyes remain focused on a much larger potential shift that could redefine the entire quarterback outlook in Pittsburgh. That shift hinges entirely on Aaron Rodgers, whose pending decision has loomed large over the Steelers’ offseason. Despite Rodgers remaining undecided about playing in 2025 or retiring from football altogether, the Steelers have operated with the belief that he will eventually suit up for them this season. The front office has shown quiet confidence, leaving the door wide open for Rodgers to take over as QB1 if he chooses to play in 2025. Without Rodgers in the picture, however, the current state of the quarterback room has drawn harsh national criticism. CBS Sports analyst Garrett Podell recently ranked the Steelers quarterback group as the worst in the NFL heading into 2025. It's a sobering reminder of how fragile Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation is—and how much is riding on one final decision from Rodgers. "The Pittsburgh Steelers have the worst quarterback room in the entire NFL after completely turning over at the position in each of the last two years," Podell said. "Mason Rudolph, a third-round pick of the Steelers in 2018, returns home after a year away with the Tennessee Titans in 2024. He threw nine touchdowns and nine interceptions across eight played last season, which included five starts." Podell pointed out that Thompson is a poor option, noting that he had multiple opportunities to step up as Tua Tagovailoa’s backup with the Miami Dolphins and consistently fell short. He also believes that if Rodgers doesn’t join the team, the Steelers are likely to start Howard in Week 1. It’s a bold prediction—one that highlights just how uncertain and unstable the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh has become that they may rely on a rookie sixth round pick. "Skylar Thompson comes to the Steelers after three seasons as Tua Tagovailoa's backup with the Miami Dolphins. He has one passing touchdown and three interceptions in 10 games played, including three starts. The rookie in the room is Will Howard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after helping lead Ohio State to a National Championship in his fifth season of college football... Head Coach Mike Tomlin ends up uninspired by both Rudolph and Thompson, which leads to Howard seizing the job after continuing the growth he showed as a passer as a Buckeye. That is unless Aaron Rodgers joins the team after visiting the team's facility earlier in the offseason." Obviously, if Rodgers announces he’s playing one season with the Steelers, it would change everything. This team is built to win now, boasting a star-studded veteran defense and a retooled offense loaded with talent. If Pittsburgh can find stability at quarterback, they should be in position to make serious noise in the AFC. Steelers Have Full Confidence In Mason Rudolph It’s highly unlikely that Howard will be named the starter anytime soon. The worst-case scenario seems to point toward the Steelers moving forward with Rudolph in 2025—a player they know well and trust. Rudolph stepped up during the chaos of the 2023 season, helping to salvage the year and lead Pittsburgh into the playoffs. The organization still has a great deal of confidence in him. Steelers fans are now stuck in a holding pattern, waiting on Rodgers’ decision. But at 41 years old, even if he does suit up in black and gold, some question whether he might do more harm than good. Still, Head Coach Mike Tomlin believes he can win a Super Bowl with Rodgers. Until that decision is made, the spotlight remains on Rudolph and Howard—two intriguing options to watch if Rodgers doesn’t come.