The 2025 NFL Draft has officially come to an end, and the Pittsburgh Steelers have made all of their selections. As always, the draft generated significant buzz due to its importance in shaping the future of each franchise. It provides teams the opportunity to fill key roster gaps and potentially uncover future stars. Now that the picks are in, fans and analysts alike are weighing in on the Steelers' approach and speculating on the strategy behind their choices. One of the people sharing their insights is Colin Cowherd, host of The Herd, who recently revealed the Steelers' thought process and overall strategy during the 2025 NFL Draft. According to Cowherd, the team’s approach and reasoning behind certain picks differed significantly from what many Steelers fans had anticipated leading into the draft. "Pittsburgh [Steelers] was never in the starting quarterback market. They wanted to get the roster ready for Aaron Rodgers and draft a backup," Cowherd shared. "That's why Aaron Rodgers kind of took their word for it, but wanted to wait." It’s well known that the Steelers are interested in acquiring veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With the departures of both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields this offseason, the team is left with a coveted vacancy at the starting quarterback position. Reports suggest the Steelers have made a formal offer to Rodgers and are now waiting for his decision. However, the extended delay in his response has sparked concern among fans, leading many to question whether Rodgers genuinely wants to join the Steelers organization. At 41 years old, Rodgers is currently the oldest active player in the NFL. While his experience and success are undeniable, he is not viewed as the long-term solution for the Steelers' next franchise quarterback. Reports indicate that the offer extended to Rodgers is likely a one-year deal, suggesting that the Steelers intend to turn to the NFL Draft to find their future quarterback. Many believed this year might be the one for the Steelers to draft their next franchise quarterback, especially with no response yet from Rodgers. The team had been linked to several quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft class and showed strong interest throughout the pre-draft process. They hosted various prospects for visits and meetings, and members of the Steelers’ front office attended several Pro Days. Although these events had players from multiple positions, the team was notably having conversations with several quarterback prospects. It’s worth noting that this year’s quarterback draft class was not considered particularly strong going into the NFL Draft. That became evident when only two quarterbacks were selected in the first round, a sharp contrast to the 2024 NFL Draft, where six quarterbacks were taken within the first 12 picks. This significant drop-off highlights the difference in perceived talent between the two classes. That said, it doesn’t mean the 2025 quarterbacks won't be successful, but they generally weren’t viewed as having the same pro-ready skill sets as last year’s prospects. In fact, five of the six quarterbacks drafted early in 2024 saw playing time, with four named full-time starters prior to the season starting. The only exception was JJ McCarthy, who missed the entire regular season due to a preseason injury. Despite the overall perceived weakness of this year’s quarterback class, the Steelers still chose to draft a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft. With the 185th overall pick in the sixth round, they selected Will Howard from The Ohio State University. The pick was viewed by many as a potential steal, as Howard is fresh off a National Championship-winning season. However, he is not expected to start right away; instead, the team plans to develop him before considering him for a starting role. The Steelers Have Different Options Now As Steelers fans anxiously await Rodgers' decision, there's some reassurance in knowing the team now has multiple options. If Rodgers ultimately chooses not to sign, Mason Rudolph appears to be the likely candidate to step into the starting quarterback role. This outcome isn’t necessarily a setback, as Rudolph brings valuable experience, including leading the Steelers to several key wins and holding a respectable 9-8-1 record as a starter. Additionally, his background as both a starter and backup positions him well to mentor the rookie as he develops.