Context:

The Pittsburgh Steelers are contemplating their future quarterback options with the potential signing of veteran Aaron Rodgers, but they are also looking ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft. CBS Sports has predicted they might select Cade Klubnik, a promising quarterback from Clemson who showcased impressive stats in the 2024 season, including 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns. Despite having Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and Will Howard on the roster, none are seen as the long-term solution, making Klubnik an attractive prospect. With fierce competition expected in the 2026 draft class featuring top quarterbacks, the Steelers' draft strategy will depend significantly on their 2025 performance and Rodgers' potential retirement. The team's decisions will be pivotal as they seek to secure a reliable franchise quarterback for the future.

Dive Deeper:

• Cade Klubnik, a standout quarterback from Clemson, is emerging as a potential draft pick for the Steelers due to his impressive performance, including 3,639 passing yards, 36 touchdowns, and seven rushing touchdowns in the 2024 season.

• The Steelers are considering veteran Aaron Rodgers for the upcoming season; however, his age necessitates planning for a future franchise quarterback, highlighting the importance of securing a reliable successor.

• Current quarterbacks on the Steelers' roster, such as Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and Will Howard, are seen as unlikely long-term solutions, increasing the urgency to find a more promising option.

• Next year's quarterback draft class, featuring notable names like Arch Manning and Drew Allar, is expected to be highly competitive, which could impact the Steelers' draft position and strategy.

• The team's draft choices will be influenced by their performance in the 2025 season and Rodgers' decision on retirement, as a successful season might push them to explore different draft avenues.

• CBS Sports projects Cade Klubnik to be a mid-first round pick, but his stock may rise depending on his performance, potentially placing him out of the Steelers' reach.

• The Steelers' management will be closely monitoring the development of available quarterbacks to ensure they make strategic decisions for the team's future success at the quarterback position.

• The 2025 NFL Draft is now behind us, and as a result, some are already looking toward the 2026 class. 

• One position group that is expected to be much better next year is quarterback. This year's class was headlined by Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, with not much else to speak of. 

• Next year's class, however, could feature names like Arch Manning, Drew Allar, Garrett Nussmeier, and Cade Klubnik. Several teams will inevitably need quarterbacks, so there could fierce competition for these names. 

• One team that could need a quarterback next offseason is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The team is still in the mix for Aaron Rodgers, but even if the veteran is brought in, the team would still need a future passer due to Rodgers' advanced age.

• Thus, the team at CBS Sports recently put together a 2026 mock draft, and had the Steelers select Cade Klubnik out of Clemson. Ran Carthon and Chip Patterson offered the following analysis regarding that pick:

• Aaron Rodgers? Will Howard? Mason Rudolph? We don't even know who's going to start Week 1 of this season at quarterback, but we do know that none of these players are seen as franchise saviors at the position. Could Cade Klubnik be that guy? He took a big step forward for Clemson last season.

• Klubnik is definitely an intriguing prospect. The Clemson product threw for 3,639 yards with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2024 while leading Clemson to the College Football Playoff. 

• Klubnik has exceptional arm strength and can make plays with his legs, as well. The quarterback rushed for 463 yards and seven touchdowns in 2024.

• Overall, in 37 games at Clemson, Klubnik has thrown for 7,180 yards, rushed for 784 yards and has scored 70 total touchdowns (57 passing). 

• As mentioned above, the Steelers are likely to sign Rodgers this offseason. That should square away the position for 2025, but there's no guarantee Rodgers will play after this coming season. 

• The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard on the roster at quarterback. Howard could develop into a solid player, but as a sixth-round selection, the team likely won't count on it. 

• Of course, right now, the team at CBS Sports has Klubnik going in the middle of the first round. However, depending on how the 2025 season goes, Klubnik could end up going much earlier and be out of the Steelers' range.

• If the Steelers sign Rodgers and are a playoff team, they may have to explore other avenues in the draft. It will be interesting to see how the season goes in Pittsburgh, that's for sure. 

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