Aaron Rodgers has returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that hasn’t solved their long-term quarterback concerns.This offseason the 42-year-old confirmed that his 23rd season in the NFL would be his last, and that he would be ending his storied career in Pittsburgh.Rodgers will hang up his cleats at the end of the 2026 seasonGettyRodgers led the Steelers to the playoffs in 2025, but despite his return in 2026, questions remain over the organization’s long-term plans at the position.1,335 miles away in Houston, quarterback questions are similarly going on, with the Texans not yet offering C.J. Stroud a contract extension.“If things don’t go well in Houston this year, okay, I do think we start to get into the territory of: do the Texans listen to offers for C.J. Stroud?” Shayne Kubas said on the “Still Curtain” podcast.Stroud is entering the fourth year of his $36.43 million rookie deal, and Spotrac estimates his annual average salary to be $51 million.His incredible rookie season set a high standard for the Ohio State product, but back-to-back uneven years have clearly left Houston wondering if Stroud is their longterm guy.Stroud threw for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns in 2023, claiming Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.However, in the two years since, he has a combined 6,768 yards, 39 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.Such production would serve many quarterback-needy teams well, including the Steelers, but Stroud has set a high benchmark.Houston will likely wait to see how he performs in 2026 before handing out a contract that would make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid stars.“Houston and its quarterback are in a tricky spot because last season did not end the way either would’ve preferred,” ESPN’s DJ Bien-Aime wrote. Stroud is set for a ‘prove-it’ year as he eyes a massive contract extensionGettyStroud has 39 touchdowns and 20 interceptions over the last two yearsGetty“Stroud threw four interceptions against the [New England] Patriots the AFC divisional round. “A performance like that can cause hesitation when the extension for Stroud could be in the $55 million to $60 million range per year. “With how negotiations are currently going, it’s gearing up to be a prove-it season for Stroud.”For any potential move to transpire, two things will need to happen to both the Steelers and the Texans in 2026.Firstly, Stroud will need to have an underwhelming season, with Houston’s championship-calibre defense adding additional pressure on the offense to deliver.Secondly, the Steelers do not resolve their future quarterback plans.The Steelers appear to not be committed to their young quarterbacks on their rosterGettyBehind Rodgers on the Steelers depth chart sits Will Howard, 2026 third-round pick Drew Allar, and Mason Rudolph.Beyond that, the Steelers could turn to one of the hurlers in the stacked 2027 quarterback class that includes the likes of Arch Manning and Dante Moore.Ultimately, it comes down to whether Stroud can silence his critics in Houston and earn a massive extension and if the Steelers will be forced to hunt for their next savior in the 2027 draft class.How the 2026 season pans out will dictate how the quarterback market shapes up next spring.Stay up to date with the NFL across all our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET