This is the fifth in a series on the Steelers' roster as the team prepares to report to training camp at Saint Vincent College July 23. Today: Quarterback
Quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard
For the second consecutive year, the Steelers are taking a completely different quarterback group to training camp.
Last year, it was Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, Kyle Allen and undrafted rookie John Rhys Plumlee.
This year, it will be Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and rookie Will Howard, a sixth-round draft pick.
Wilson and Fields combined to start all 17 games for the Steelers in 2024, combining for 3,245 yards with 21 touchdown passes and six interceptions. They also combined for 444 rushing yards and an additional seven touchdowns.
But the group also took 49 sacks, which was far too many.
Rodgers, 41, enters his 21st NFL season with his Hall of Fame resume in place. The longtime Packers star spent the past two seasons with the Jets, losing his 2023 season to a torn Achilles' tendon suffered in Week 1, then spending the 2024 season anchored behind the NFL's lowest-volume rushing attack.
That put a lot on the plate of the veteran quarterback and he produced nearly 3,900 passing yards with 28 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.
He was sacked 40 times on 589 pass attempts, compared to the 49 sacks Steelers quarterbacks took on 499 attempts.
With more of a threat of a running game, Rodgers should benefit greatly.
Rodgers got rid of the ball in an average of 2.69 seconds, one of the fastest times to throw in the league last season. Wilson was at 2.86 seconds, while Fields was 3.04.
The Steelers brought Rudolph back after he spent one season in Tennessee, where he made five starts. Rudolph completed 64 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards with nine touchdowns and nine interceptions in the eight games in which he appeared.
Prior to that, Rudolph spent five seasons with the Steelers, who selected him in the third round of the 2018 draft and has the respect of the locker room.
• Dale Lolley is co-host of "SNR Drive" on Steelers Nation Radio. Subscribe to the podcast here: Apple Podcast | iHeart Podcast Pittonline@iheartmedia.com
Veteran Skylar Thompson was signed in the offseason to provide further depth. The 28-year-old gives the Steelers a third quarterback who has started a playoff game in his career, having done so in 2022 with the Dolphins.
Howard, who began his career with Thompson at Kansas State, transferred to Ohio State last season, leading the Buckeyes to the national championship.
Howard completed 73 percent of his passes for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions at Ohio State. He had eight touchdown passes and just two interceptions in the college playoffs, also showing off some mobility. Howard rushed for 57 yards in the national championship game against Notre Dame.
