PITTSBURGH, PA — The Pittsburgh Steelers have shocked the football world by bringing in 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The future Hall of Famer, four-time MVP, and Super Bowl champion now wears black and gold. But can he still deliver when it matters most—and is this partnership even a fit?
A Legacy Meets a Franchise in Limbo
Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, the Steelers have been stuck in quarterback purgatory. Despite staying competitive, they haven’t won a playoff game since 2016. Signing Rodgers is a clear message: Pittsburgh is done waiting.
He brings gravitas, experience, and one of the greatest résumés in NFL history. But he also brings questions—lots of them.
A Strange Scheme Fit
Let’s be honest: this pairing looks weird on paper. Head coach Mike Tomlin just doubled down on a run-first identity by hiring Arthur Smith, the NFL’s ground-game guru. That clashes with Rodgers, who led the league in pass attempts last season and has rarely thrived in run-heavy systems. From 2008 to 2022, his Packers ranked fourth-lowest in rush percentage.
Even during his stint with the Jets, the team finished 28th in rushing attempts. Meanwhile, Smith’s offenses have landed in the top five in rushing five of the last six years.
Rodgers also isn’t the mobile QB Tomlin typically favors. He rushed just 34 times last season for 94 yards, took 40 sacks, and operated behind a Steelers O-line that’s still trying to find itself.
Air Game Concerns
Add in deep-threat DK Metcalf—fresh off a massive extension—and the fit grows more complicated. Rodgers averaged just 6.6 air yards per attempt in 2024, 32nd among qualified QBs. That doesn’t exactly scream “bombs away.”
Worse, he struggled with accuracy and decision-making. His 2024 stat line:
3,897 passing yards
28 TDs
11 INTs
63% completion rate
48 QBR
Even when throwing to open receivers, Rodgers posted a 55 QBR and tossed 10 interceptions—his highest since 2008.
Steelers Desperate for Offensive Firepower
Let’s be clear: Pittsburgh needed help under center. Since 2022, their QBs have combined for just 46 passing touchdowns—the lowest in the league. Despite that, the team has gone 29-22 over the past three years, thanks largely to an elite defense and clutch special teams play.
Last season alone, they won two games without scoring a touchdown. That’s unheard of. But it’s also unsustainable.
Rodgers vs. the AFC Gauntlet
This year’s schedule is brutal. Week 1 pits Rodgers against his old team, the New York Jets. It’s must-watch TV. Games against Seattle, New England, Cincinnati, and Detroit fill out the early slate, and late matchups include juggernauts like Buffalo, Miami, and Baltimore (twice).
Rodgers has never faced Lamar Jackson, and the Ravens handled Pittsburgh in the 2024 playoffs. If the Steelers don’t rack up wins early, they could be out of the race by December.
The Steelers’ All-In Gamble
Pittsburgh let Justin Fields walk and didn’t chase veteran stop-gaps. They took a late flyer on Will Howard in the sixth round, and re-signed Mason Rudolph as the only other QB on the roster.
They went all in on Rodgers.
It’s a risky bet. He hasn’t won a playoff game since 2020 and hit rock bottom last season in a 40-14 loss to Buffalo, posting a career-worst 1.2 QBR before exiting early.
He also became the most-sacked quarterback in NFL history that night.
Still, there’s hope. Rodgers threw his 500th career touchdown to close the year and reportedly looked more in rhythm by season’s end. Steelers cornerback Brandin Echols—his former Jets teammate—said, “He started to really wake up.”
Why 9-8 Might Be Pittsburgh’s Ceiling
The Steelers went 9-2 last season when they scored at least 18 points—but just 1-6 when they didn’t. That’s how tight the margin is.
Red zone woes remain a major concern. Pittsburgh’s 48.21% red zone TD rate ranked 29th. Even the Jets were better with Rodgers at 54.55%.
If Rodgers can consistently push Pittsburgh’s offense to the low-20s in scoring, they’ll be in the playoff conversation. If not? Another 9-8 campaign might be the best-case scenario—just enough to keep Tomlin’s “never had a losing season” streak alive.
A New Chapter… or a Last Chapter?
This isn’t just a new signing. It’s a defining moment. Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh is a gamble—one rooted in legacy, desperation, and a franchise unwilling to hit the reset button.
If it works, the Steelers may finally return to playoff relevance.
If it doesn’t? The price will be steep, and the rebuild they’ve postponed may hit harder than ever.
