Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have to get more serious about the quarterback position, period. Aaron Rodgers signed with the team this year on a one-year deal, and it's been largely known, for the most part, that the 2025 season will be Rodgers' last in his NFL career.
He's a four-time MVP and a future Hall of Famer with likely one more crack at the playoffs. The Steelers are hosting the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round, and you get the sense that Rodgers is going to call it quits after this year no matter how far the Steelers go.
He's flirted with retirement before, as the 42-year-old is really getting up there in age. Pittsburgh should also have been preparing for this behind the scenes, but this team has not been able to put forth a logical, long-term QB plan, so there is no guarantee that GM Omar Khan has a plan when Aaron Rodgers retires.
Rodgers has been good this year - he's thrown 24 touchdown passes against just seven interceptions for a solid 94.8 passer rating. This year is likely his last in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young had his best NFL season this year. He went 8-8 in 16 starts and averaged less than 200 passing yards per game. Simply put, Young is not a franchise quarterback and has largely been a bust in the NFL. The regime that drafted Young back in 2023 isn't there anymore, so there is no connection that the current regime has to Young.
The Panthers finished with a losing record this year, so while the playoff berth is a fun story, this team isn't anything close to a contender and likely won't make the playoffs in 2026 with another 8-9 finish. Until the Panthers find an upgrade over Bryce Young, they'll continue to underwhelm. GM Dan Morgan could be in the market for an upgrade in 2026.