Texans, Steelers, Falcons Reveal QB Plans at NFL Combine

At 10 a.m. ET, the first wave of general managers took their respective podiums and took rapid-fire questioning, a rhythm that will continue throughout the afternoon at the NFL combine.

While much of what is said ranges between posturing and bluffing to flat-out avoidance, there is occasional news and kernels of truth worth discussing. To that point, here are some of the most interesting nuggets of information to digest.

Pittsburgh, Aaron Rodgers continue to dance

The Steelers should accept their position as an aging, mediocre team. But should and will don’t equate.

Instead of tearing down the roster by trading some veterans such as Cam Heyward, Patrick Queen and others, Pittsburgh is hoping to make another run with its core, including quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers, 42, hasn’t committed to playing a 22nd year, but the Steelers are hoping he will return to join forces with coach Mike McCarthy, with the two having spent 13 years together in Green Bay.

“He knows how we feel,” Steelers general manager Omar Khan said. “We know how he feels about us. It was a good experience for both sides. Unfortunately, we didn’t reach our goals of winning the game we wanted to win at the end, but there’s a mutual respect there.”

Last season, Pittsburgh won 10 games and the AFC North while Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns, albeit on 6.7 yards per attempt.

If Rodgers returns, he’s clearly a year-to-year option. If he does retire, the Steelers can turn to longtime backup Mason Rudolph or pursue Malik Willis, who is the top quarterback in free agency. If Khan goes that route, he has $45 million at his disposal, making Pittsburgh a legitimate player in those sweepstakes.

Texans have no desire to move off C.J. Stroud

C.J. Stroud was a mess in the playoffs. Don’t expect that fact to change Houston’s long-term plans.

General manager Nick Caserio made clear the team has no plans to trade Stroud this offseason, with the decision on his fifth-year option looming. Stroud, 24, threw for 3,041 yards and 19 touchdowns with eight interceptions in the regular season before suffering seven turnovers in a win over the Steelers and a loss to the Patriots in the postseason.

After lighting the league up with 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns as a rookie in 2023, helping the Texans go from a four-win team to a division champion, Stroud hasn’t found the same success. While Houston has reached the divisional round each of his three years, the Texans have struggled to find the right offensive mix.