Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers in 2025 Might Not Be Far-Fetched
Could the Pittsburgh Steelers be an ideal landing spot for future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers? Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk floated the idea last Thursday, and it has since picked up steam.
Longtime NFL columnist Peter King thinks Rodgers would be a perfect fit with Mike Tomlin.
“I think we have seen Russell Wilson hit a wall. Whether Mike Tomlin is even thinking about, I’m sure he’s not right now, thinking about 2025. They got a playoff game coming up, but if I were the Pittsburgh Steelers, knowing that I’ve got Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt, I’ve got guys on defense with their expiration dates not long in the future. I would want to come in and try to get a quarterback who can make me competitive with Baltimore and Cincinnati in 2025. That guy to me would be Aaron Rodgers,” King said on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
In 2024, the 41-year-old Rodgers played in 16 games, completing 368 of 584 passes (63.0%) for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 90.5 passer rating.
For comparison, the 36-year-old Russell Wilson has played 11 games, completing 214 of 316 passes (63.7%) for 2,482, 16 touchdowns, five interceptions, and a 95.6 passer rating.
The Steelers are currently on a four-game losing streak, and to say the least, Wilson has struggled immensely. He hasn’t thrown over 217 yards in a game dating back to Week 14.
RELATED: Could Steelers Ditch Russell Wilson, Turn to Aaron Rodgers in 2025?
The Jets finished the season a dreadful 5-12. And with an entire new regime coming in, it’s unlikely that Rodgers will be back.
Despite doubts of Rodgers having the inspiration to still play, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated thinks he wants to make one last run. And he believes the Steelers would be the best spot to do so.
“Do you think he wants to go out like this? This is worse than the Achilles, isn’t it? Breer said on the Dan Patrick Show. “How would he look in Pittsburgh? The Jets are not likely to keep Rodgers after this season. The Steelers have to figure out what they’re going to do at quarterback, too. Will they run it back with Russell Wilson or perhaps Justin Fields? Or will the Steelers explore all of their options — including trying to sign a highly motivated Rodgers?
“I think it’s possible that he has a Brett Favre hair across his ass,” Breer added. “You could see a Vikings year for Favre from Rodgers somewhere else. I don’t think it’s impossible that maybe one last time he wants to come back and put everything into it.”
The Steelers were among the teams that were touted as a potential landing spot for Rodgers when he left the Green Bay Packers, but the team drafting quarterback Kenny Pickett in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft seemed to quiet those calls. Now, with the team moved on from Pickett, it might be possible for Tomlin and Rodgers to finally unite, if the team is unhappy with the production of Wilson, or is unhappy with his contract demands — as Wilson is set to become a free agent after the season.
Rodgers and Tomlin have been complimentary of one another in the past, but that was before Rodgers’ messy exit from Green Bay and several subsequent other controversies, including deception about being vaccinated for COVID-19 and skipping mandatory minicamp with the Jets this spring.
“I’m a big Mike Tomlin fan,” Rodgers said in 2021. “I have been for a long time. I like the way he speaks about his team. I like the way that he goes about his business. I like his confidence. I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys that have played there.”
On Sunday, Rodgers said he would also be willing to play for another team if the Jets’ new regime decides to move on. He also mentioned that he will make a decision on his future “before it gets to late in the offseason.”
For sure, Rodgers has a unique personality. He’s not afraid to speak his mind and often butts heads with coaches and the front office. That’s why former Steelers quarterback Terry Bradshaw is not sure if he’s a good fit anywhere.
“But a lot comes with Aaron Rodgers and if you’re going to take on everything that comes with Aaron Rodgers, you need the production that usually comes with Aaron Rodgers and (the Jets) are not getting that,” Bradshaw said on FOX NFL Sunday.
With Rodgers surpassing 500 career touchdown passes in the Jets’ win over Miami on Sunday, Bradshaw expects the future Hall of Famer to retire.
“This is Aaron Rodgers’ last game as a Jet. And if there’s somebody out there, I’d always believe there are teams who feel like they can get him and fix him and get that last bit. But is it worth it all with everything that comes with him? I don’t know,” Bradshaw said.
Rodgers has a lot of interests outside of football, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he decides to go on with his life’s work. But if he still has the fire to play, he could be an intriguing option for Tomlin and the Steelers.
Alan Saunders contributed to this story.
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