Skylar Thompson’s Rise Creates Ripples in Pittsburgh’s QB Room
If you’ve been following camp in Latrobe, you might have noticed the quarterback room is starting to buzz. Not because of drama or controversy, but because of the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith spoke about the fourth quarterback, Skylar Thompson. His words hinted at a potential shift that could impact not just one player, but the entire depth chart — even Aaron Rodgers.
Arthur Smith on Skylar Thompson maybe making the team: “Well, again, that’s a Mike and Omar [Khan] question. Just from the coaching standpoint with all those guys, that’s a deep quarterback room. Skylar’s a guy that started a playoff game a couple of years ago, and he’s played…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot) August 19, 2025
Smith was asked if Thompson had a chance to make the roster, and he didn’t dismiss it. He highlighted the fact that Thompson has meaningful experience, having started a playoff game not long ago, and praised his sharp reads and steady rhythm. Thompson has indeed shown promise — he threw for 220 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 34–31 Wild Card loss in Buffalo. And this preseason, he’s kept producing. In the opener against Jacksonville, Thompson completed 20 of 28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns, a strong outing for August football.
So what does this mean for Aaron Rodgers? Two things stand out. First, Mike Tomlin has already said Rodgers will not play in the preseason, keeping the 41-year-old preserved until September. That means reps fall to the backups, giving Thompson more chances to prove himself. Second, Smith’s endorsement signals that this offense is designed for any quarterback who steps in, not just the veteran starter.
The official depth chart lists Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and then Thompson. But Thompson’s door is now slightly open.
Rodgers, of course, is still set as the starter in 2025 after a 2024 season spent re-establishing himself following the Achilles injury that ended his Jets debut. Still, in a camp where urgency is being stressed, every player is under the microscope. Tomlin made that clear when he emphasized not wasting time and using every day to build cohesion and give players opportunities to prove themselves.
For Rodgers, the strategy is deliberate: rest during preseason, focus on situational installs, and let others run live reps. For Thompson, it’s an opportunity. With two more preseason games, he has a chance to climb the ladder and change the roster math. And while Tomlin’s message wasn’t aimed at quarterbacks specifically, it resonates most in that room — especially for the one trying to turn QB4 into something more.