NFL Trade Pitch Sends Steelers ‘Surprise’ QB Solution to Dump Aaron Rodgers

The longer Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned, the more likely it becomes pundits and fans encourage the Pittsburgh Steelers to pursue other options. On Saturday, Bleacher Report’s Moe Morton suggested the Steelers pursue a trade for San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones.

Moton didn’t classify an acquisition for Jones as cheap. But he argued the Steelers could target Jones and still sign Rodgers, or ditch the idea of re-signing the veteran altogether.

“The Pittsburgh Steelers might be one of the teams that inquired about Jones. They will likely have to pay a steep price for him, but the 27-year-old could be a solution that keeps them out of quarterback limbo for the foreseeable future,” wrote Moton.

“Even if Aaron Rodgers returns to Pittsburgh, the Steelers can sign Jones to an extension before 2027, giving them a long-term quarterback plan.”

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Potential QB Mac Jones Trade Price

Moton inferred the Steelers would pay a high price for Jones because of a report from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini and an argument from The Athletic’s Jeff Howe.

Russini reported on March 10 teams interested in a Jones trade called the trade price “astronomical.”

Russini didn’t specify what that price was. But Howe suggested it could be a second or even first-round pick.

“It would be a massive win to turn a budget-friendly free-agent pickup into a second-round pick, particularly for a team with such a top-heavy roster,” Howe wrote. “But with that talented roster and coach Kyle Shanahan, the Niners don’t want a season to go to waste if Purdy goes down again.

“Since Jones was a major reason the Niners stayed afloat in 2025, they could rightfully be stubborn and hold out for a first-round offer.”

As Howe explained, the 49ers have little incentive to deal Jones. He’s worth more to their team than as a trade candidate. That only changes unless a team offers a very high price for him.

Moton left open the possibility of the Steelers trading for Jones and bringing back Rodgers. But should the Steelers meet Jones’s high trade price, the likelihood of the Steelers re-signing Rodgers should drop close to zero.

If Mike McCarthy uses a first or second-round pick to acquire a signal-caller this offseason, he’s going to want that quarterback to play immediately. In that situation, the Steelers have no use for Rodgers.

Any pundit calling for the Steelers to trade a top 60 pick for Jones is, at least indirectly, arguing they shouldn’t bring back Rodgers.

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Will Steelers Re-Sign Aaron Rodgers?

Uncertainty remains in Pittsburgh over what the Steelers will do at quarterback because Rodgers isn’t signed.

As the veteran quarterback explained to ESPN’s Pat McAfee a week before free agency, he doesn’t have a contract offer. Rodgers stressed to McAfee he is a free agent not spending a lot of time thinking about football this month.

“There’s been no deadline that’s been put in front of me. There’s no contract offer or anything. So, there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between,” said Rodgers. “I’m a free agent and, again, I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the offseason.

“I think there’s conversations to be had down the line. There hasn’t been any progressive conversations.”

This puts the Steelers in a similar position to where they were last year. That was unexpected. After the team hired Mike McCarthy, national and local insiders reported Rodgers would make his decision before 2026 NFL free agency.

Last year, Rodgers didn’t sign with the Steelers until June 5.

At the NFL combine, Steelers general manager Omar Khan expressed wanting Rodgers back for 2026. The general consensus is the team aims to make that a reality.

Until Rodgers officially signs, though, pundits are going to push the possibility of the Steelers acquiring signal-callers such as Jones.

Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb