Steelers Predicted to Pursue $36M QB in Offseason Trade

Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr believes Pittsburgh will inquire about a deal for Texans QB C.J. Stroud.

Mar. 1, 2026 at 9:47am

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of a starting quarterback this offseason, with Aaron Rodgers' future uncertain. Sports Illustrated's Conor Orr predicts the Steelers will call the Houston Texans to inquire about a trade for quarterback C.J. Stroud, who is still on his $36 million rookie deal.

Why it matters

The Steelers are in a precarious quarterback situation, with Will Howard and Mason Rudolph as the only options if Rodgers doesn't return. Acquiring Stroud, a former No. 1 overall pick, could provide a long-term solution at the position if he can recapture his rookie-year form.

The details

Stroud struggled mightily in 2025, leading to speculation that the Texans could look to move on from the young QB. While the Texans are unlikely to trade Stroud, Orr believes the Steelers should at least inquire about a deal, as Stroud would be a relatively cheap option on his rookie contract with potential upside.

  • The 2026 NFL offseason is approaching, with free agency set to begin in March.

The players

C.J. Stroud

A quarterback for the Houston Texans, Stroud was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft but struggled in his second season.

Aaron Rodgers

The current starting quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, whose future with the team is uncertain.

Will Howard

A quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who did not play a single snap in 2025.

Mason Rudolph

A quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers who is not considered a starting-caliber player.

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What they’re saying

“The Steelers will call the Texans about C.J. Stroud. I'm not saying Houston will pick up, but I am saying that the Texans will receive a phone call. Stroud is the perfect pipe-dream reclamation project for a Steelers team that never plans to rebuild and is still probably too good to project for a top-10 pick in 2027.”

— Conor Orr, Sports Illustrated Writer (Sports Illustrated)

“But the intriguing stuff, I'm told, don't be surprised in the next couple weeks, as we get closer and closer to free agency, there's going to be some big-name quarterbacks that are currently in destinations, that have contracts that are going to be targeted. Teams are going to be aggressive. C.J. [Stroud's] one of them.”

— Todd McShay, Draft Analyst (ESPN)

“If CJ Stroud is traded I'll walk naked down Kirby Drive at rush hour! Is anyone else willing to do it if he's NOT traded? Didn't think so!”

— John McClain, Former Texans Beat Writer (X)

What’s next

The Steelers will likely make a call to the Texans to inquire about a potential trade for C.J. Stroud in the coming weeks as the NFL offseason gets underway.

The takeaway

The Steelers' quarterback situation is in flux, and acquiring a young, talented player like Stroud could provide a long-term solution if he can regain his rookie-year form. However, the Texans appear unlikely to trade Stroud, making this a risky but potentially rewarding move for Pittsburgh.