The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on their contract offer. The longer he takes, the more likely it becomes that Pittsburgh will explore other quarterback options. The most straightforward choice for the Steelers is to select a quarterback with the 21st overall pick in April’s NFL draft, but the uncertainty of who will be available and how valuable those players will be makes picking a rookie quarterback both risky and hard to predict.
Alternatively, Pittsburgh could trade their first-round pick to acquire a young quarterback already in the league who is looking for a fresh start with a more successful organization. One potential target is Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, who was the 4th overall pick in 2022. Richardson was benched last season in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco before being reinstated as the starter.
Flacco is now a free agent, but former New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones has joined the Colts on a one-year contract and will compete with Richardson for the starting role.
If Daniel Jones secures the starting quarterback role, it’s likely that Anthony Richardson’s future with the Indianapolis Colts will be in jeopardy, and the team might place him on the trade block before Week 1. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell proposed a trade scenario where the Pittsburgh Steelers use their No. 21 pick to acquire Richardson, a dual-threat quarterback who will turn 23 ahead of next season.
Barnwell expressed enthusiasm about how Richardson would fit into the Steelers’ offense, highlighting his strong arm as a dangerous complement to players like DK Metcalf and George Pickens. He also noted that Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has experience incorporating quarterback run concepts, which would be useful with Richardson as the starting QB.
While Richardson might not start immediately if the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers, Barnwell suggests he could spend a year developing before starting in 2026. In the proposed deal, Pittsburgh would also receive the Colts’ second-round pick (No. 45) but would need to include a conditional pick in the 2027 draft. Richardson is entering the third year of his $34 million rookie contract in 2025, which includes a team option for the 2027 season.
