Steelers Projected to Replace Aaron Rodgers With Rocket-Armed Athletic QB

There’s still a long way to go before the 2026 NFL Draft. But the consensus entering the 2025 NFL season is that it will be surprising if the Pittsburgh Steelers target anything other than quarterback in the first round.

The question, though, is which one will the Steelers target?

CBS Sports’ Mike Renner had a relatively new suggestion in his latest 2026 mock draft released Wednesday — Oklahoma Sooner signal-caller John Mateer.

“John Mateer has arguably the best arm talent in the entire draft class and goes to a division in the AFC North where that’s a necessity. He showed growth in his first season as a starter and now has a chance to blow up in his first season with the Sooners after transferring from Washington State,” wrote Renner.

The Sooners quarterback is quickly rising draft boards, at least according to Renner. The CBS Sports analyst ranked Mateer at No. 10 on his newest big board on August 21.

“I’d put Mateer’s tools up against anyone’s in the country,” wrote Renner. “He ran for more than 1,000 yards in his first year as a starter for Washington State and has an arm that can get the ball 60-plus yards downfield. Could he be the next transfer portal quarterback to have his draft stock go to the moon?”

At Washington State last season, he completed 64.6% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. Mateer led all quarterbacks at Independent schools in passing yards and touchdowns while posting an 8-5 record with the Cougars.

Mateer scored 15 rushing touchdowns to go with 826 yards on the ground as well.

Steelers Predicted to Draft Oklahoma QB John Mateer as Aaron Rodgers Replacement

Renner’s prediction that the Steelers will select a first-round quarterback isn’t surprising.

First-year Steelers starter Aaron Rodgers recently suggested he could return for 2026. But he will turn 42 years old in December and previous stated over the summer that this fall will be his final NFL campaign.

Rodgers is only signed in Pittsburgh to a one-year contract.

More than likely, the Steelers will find Rodgers’ replacement in the 2026 class.

Renner argued Mateer as a possibility because of his traits. How he performs this season, though, will impact his draft stock.

Mateer is entering his first season at Oklahoma.

The 2026 draft class is projected to be a deep quarterback class. Renner predicted five signal-callers to go in the first 13 picks of 2026.

In Renner’s new mock draft, the Steelers picked Mateer at No. 13 overall.

Renner didn’t mention anything about Pittsburgh trading up to that draft slot. So, the CBS analyst seemed to assume the Steelers will finish with a bad enough record to pick at No. 13 overall.

Pittsburgh’s own first-round selection has never been that high in the Mike Tomlin era. The last time the Steelers picked No. 13 or higher without having to trade up, the team selected Ben Roethlisberger at No. 11 overall in 2004.

Could Will Howard Still Influence Steelers 2026 Draft Plans?

It’s pretty easy to understand why the consensus has the Steelers selecting a first-round quarterback in 2026. No matter what Rodgers and backup quarterback Mason Rudolph do in 2025, the Steelers will need a future franchise quarterback next spring.

The only quarterback on Pittsburgh’s roster who has a chance to influence the team’s 2026 direction is rookie Will Howard.

Tomlin suggested Monday that Howard could return soon. It remains to be seen if that means the rookie quarterback will avoid a stint on injured reserve. The expectation, though, remains that Howard will begin the 2025 regular season on IR.

If that’s the case, his chance of discouraging the team from going with a quarterback in the first round next spring decreases. It’s not out of the question, but it’s already an uphill battle for Howard to prevent first-round competition from arriving.

Howard missed all of the preseason because of a hand injury. The exhibition campaign was likely going to be his best opportunity this year to prove he could develop into a starter.

If he receives playing time during the 2025 regular season, then Rodgers and Rudolph are probably going to have to suffer an injury. Even then, Skylar Thompson could start instead of Howard. Thompson was also on Pittsburgh’s first 53-man roster Tuesday.

In addition to getting an opportunity, Howard will have to play very well to show he’s a future NFL starter. Otherwise, the Steelers will enter 2026 as one of the most obvious destinations for a first-round quarterback.