Aaron Rodgers, the renowned quarterback and four-time NFL MVP, might still have some football left in him and could potentially take his talents to Pittsburgh. Rodgers met with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday, as confirmed by a source knowledgeable about the meeting. Rodgers spent several hours at the team’s facility gathering insight, though he left without finalizing any contract. Pittsburgh finds itself in need of a quarterback, notably after Justin Fields, who contributed to the Steelers’ 10-7 record and the subsequent playoff appearance last season, recently signed with the Jets. With Russell Wilson now a free agent and seemingly not in Pittsburgh’s plans for the future, the team earlier secured backup Mason Rudolph on a two-year agreement. However, opportunities remain open for additional offensive power.
Rodgers, at 41, seems to be carefully considering his next career move rather than rushing into any commitments. He has spent time in California, contemplating whether he desires a return for what would be his 21st season. This deliberate decision-making process has not entirely pleased Steelers defensive leader Cam Heyward, who expressed his sentiments on a podcast this week. Heyward stated, “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t, it’s that simple.” This dilemma arises at a time when Rodgers might seek to wrap up his illustrious career on a high note after facing challenges during his stint with the New York Jets.
The 2023 season was cut short for Rodgers due to a torn Achilles tendon during his initial game with the Jets. Despite his comeback at age 40, where he notched 28 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions, his season was marred by off-field incidents, culminating in a 5-12 record for the team. Pittsburgh’s head coach Mike Tomlin has long admired Rodgers, dating back to the Packers’ triumph over the Steelers in the 2010 Super Bowl. Their interactions over the years have been noteworthy, including a situation last fall when Tomlin cleverly secured a timeout to prevent Rodgers from exploiting a field disadvantage.
The Steelers have been inching towards greatness over the past decade but have often struggled to transcend their good standing, frequently facing early playoff eliminations. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement post-2021, the quarterback position has seen constant change. Should Rodgers step in this season, he’d be the fifth different Week 1 starter for Pittsburgh in five years. The previous lineup included starters such as Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, and Fields. Following their acquisition of Wilson last year, Pittsburgh might once again be eyeing an elite yet slightly encumbered quarterback to bolster their ranks.
Rodgers transitioned to the Jets in April 2023 after an impressive 18-season run with the Packers, aiming to bring success to a team that hadn’t seen a Super Bowl win since 1968. His brief tenure with the Jets concluded with six victories, including the game during which he sustained his injury, over 18 starts. His impressive 28 touchdown passes and nearly 3,900 passing yards for the season were commendable feats, albeit underlined by mobility issues stemming from leg injuries, including a nagging hamstring problem.
Should Rodgers decide to join Pittsburgh, he might be challenged by the protection woes that plagued Wilson late last season, culminating in five consecutive losses and a resounding playoff defeat. Yet, Pittsburgh offers an impressive arsenal for any incoming quarterback. The Steelers have traded for standout receiver DK Metcalf, securing him on a five-year contract, and they possess rising talent in George Pickens. Despite some on-field and media controversies, Pickens remains a critical asset as he nears the end of his rookie contract. The lineup also boasts the solid presence of tight end Pat Freiermuth, and the running prowess of Jaylen Warren, alongside new signee Kenneth Gainwell. This assemblage of talent, combined with an urgent desire to succeed, could entice Rodgers, despite being past his peak performance years.
Although the team holds the 21st pick in a quarterback-scarce draft, the Steelers appear willing to bet on Rodgers’ potential contributions to maintain competitiveness in the near term. As the franchise looks toward 2026 for a stable quarterback solution, Rodgers might just be the essential ingredient for immediate success.