Context:

With the Pittsburgh Steelers awaiting Aaron Rodgers' decision on his future, Tyler Huntley, a former Miami Dolphins quarterback, has emerged as a potential alternative for the team. Despite Tua Tagovailoa's return as the Dolphins' starter, Miami's acquisition of Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers has left Huntley available. Huntley, a 2022 Pro Bowler, has shown his ability to make significant plays both aerially and on the ground, although ball security remains a concern due to his interception and fumble record. During the 2024 season, Huntley stepped in for five games, achieving a 2-3 record with Miami, displaying his potential and versatility. While choosing Huntley over Rodgers would be surprising, his presence on the market offers the Steelers a viable backup plan if needed.

Dive Deeper:

• The Pittsburgh Steelers are considering Tyler Huntley as a backup plan in case Aaron Rodgers opts out of joining them for the 2025 NFL season. Huntley is available after the Miami Dolphins secured Zach Wilson and Quinn Ewers, leaving him without a spot in Miami.

• Huntley is recognized for his dual-threat capability, able to execute plays both through passing and rushing, which keeps his teams competitive in games. However, his career statistics show a vulnerability in ball handling, with 11 interceptions and 15 fumbles overshadowing his 13 touchdown passes.

• In the 2024 NFL season, Huntley served as a temporary starter for the Dolphins during Tua Tagovailoa's injury, posting a completion rate of 64.7%, throwing for 829 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions in five games.

• The Steelers' interest in Huntley stems from his potential to provide a reliable backup option with experience, despite his need for improvement in decision-making and reducing turnovers.

• While the transition from the high-profile Aaron Rodgers to Huntley might seem unexpected, Huntley's availability represents a strategic move by the Steelers to ensure they are prepared for Rodgers' potential decision to not join the team.

• The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for Aaron Rodgers to make his decision while a former Miami Dolphins quarterback remains available on the open market.

• With Tua Tagovailoa set to reprise his role as the starter in South Beach, the Dolphins spent the offseason adding Zach Wilson in free agency and Quinn Ewers in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

• That has left Tyler Huntley, a 2022 Pro Bowl selection, on the market searching for a new home, and CBS Sports' Bryan DeArdo believes he could be the top option for the Steelers if Rodgers decides to spurn Pittsburgh.

• "Huntley has made 15 starts in his NFL career. In those games, he displayed an ability to make big plays both through the air and on the ground. He also largely kept his teams in contention. His biggest issue, however, is taking care of the ball," DeArdo wrote. "Huntley has nearly as many career interceptions (11) as he has touchdown passes (13), and one of his 15 career fumbles was returned for a season-ending touchdown near the end of Baltimore's playoff loss to Cincinnati back in 2022. 

• "While there are still parts of his game that need refining, Huntley would nonetheless be a very viable option for the Steelers if Rodgers decides to spend the 2025 season doing something else with his time."

• Huntley served as the starter in Miami for five games during the 2024 season while Tagovailoa was injured. Miami went 2-3 in those games while he completed 64.7% of his passes for 829 yards, three touchdowns, three interceptions and an 80.1 passer rating. He also added two rushing touchdowns during that stretch.

• It would be a shock to see the Steelers pivot from Rodgers to Huntley, but the NFL has a way of keeping its fans on their toes.