It’s Time for the Steelers to Say Goodbye to the Aaron Rodgers Idea

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been holding the door open for Aaron Rodgers for too long, and at this point, it’s starting to feel like a mistake. Since February 2025, when Rodgers became a free agent after the New York Jets chose not to bring him back, there has been constant speculation linking him to the Steelers. Now, as we approach late May, nothing has changed. No deal has been made, and yet the team is still waiting.

To be clear, Steelers president Art Rooney II has publicly stated, both back in April and again just recently, that the team is willing to wait “a little while longer” for Rodgers to make a decision. But here’s the issue: the team begins Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on May 27, with another round scheduled for June 3. The mandatory minicamp starts on June 10. Right now, the Steelers still don’t know who their quarterback is going to be, and that’s a serious problem.

Now let’s look at Rodgers himself. He is currently 41 years old. In 2023, he suffered a torn Achilles on the very first drive of his first game with the Jets. In 2024, he returned and managed to stay healthy, starting all 17 games. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, completing 63% of his passes. Statistically, those numbers are fine, but the performance behind them was inconsistent. There were a fair few games where he looked close to his old self. But in many, like when he threw two interceptions against the Steelers, both picked off by undrafted rookie Beanie Bishop Jr., he looked lost and out of rhythm. That game wasn’t an isolated moment. It was one of several that showed how much Rodgers has changed since his MVP form in 2021.

And even if we ignore the age and performance decline, there’s something else to think about. Rodgers has a lot of off-field baggage. He’s frequently in the news for his weekly appearances on Pat McAfee’s show. He’s known for giving long, controversial interviews. Bringing him into Pittsburgh means bringing that media circus into the locker room. It means players, especially veterans like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, and Minkah Fitzpatrick, will be constantly asked about Rodgers instead of focusing on football. As seen before, that kind of attention can wear a team down fast.

Another point that can’t be ignored is the message this would send to the current Steelers quarterbacks. Mason Rudolph is still on the roster. Last season, he started the final three regular-season games and won all three. He’s been working hard this offseason, learning the new playbook and building trust with teammates. Then there’s rookie Will Howard. He was drafted in the sixth round out of Ohio State. He’s a college national champion and could have real potential if given time to develop. If Rodgers signs with the team and walks in as the starter, Rudolph and Howard would be pushed aside.

Let’s also consider what Pittsburgh needs to accomplish this year. The Steelers have not won a playoff game since the 2016 season. In 2024, they started strong with a 10-3 record but collapsed with five straight losses, including an ugly playoff defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. In that game, the defense allowed 299 rushing yards. That’s not the kind of performance that gets you to a Super Bowl. Even though they added DK Metcalf as a No. 1 receiver and have an improved offensive line, Rodgers would need to return to near-MVP form to make a real difference, and there is no sign that he’s capable of doing that for a full season anymore.

Even if Rodgers did join and things went well—maybe the team wins 10 or 11 games, maybe they even win a playoff game—then what? He turns 42 during the season. It’s extremely unlikely that he could lead them to a Super Bowl. And after 2025, they’d still be without a long-term answer at quarterback, which is why most people close to the team believe 2025 is what you’d call a bridge year. The real plan is to go all-in during the 2026 draft, using a strong group of picks to find the future face of the franchise. Signing Rodgers now could throw that plan off track.

Some might point out that Rodgers already seems close to joining the team. According to Ian O’Connor, who is Rodgers’ biographer, Rodgers has already informed the Steelers that he plans to sign. Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski also predicted that the decision could be made official by the end of this week, or at least before the June 10 minicamp. But even if that happens, the Steelers should seriously reconsider.

The Jets, meanwhile, have officially moved on. They’ve handed the starting quarterback job to Justin Fields, whom they signed in the offseason. Fields was graded 71.0 by Pro Football Focus in 2024 when he played for the Steelers. But he’s ranked just 28th out of 32 starters for the 2025 season. Fields might not be a long-term option, but at least the Jets are making a clean break and planning for the future.

And that’s what Pittsburgh needs to do, too. The franchise has a proud tradition of winning, and they’ve managed to go 21 straight seasons without a losing record. But the past eight years without a playoff win show that consistency alone isn’t enough anymore. It’s time for the Steelers to look beyond nostalgia and media buzz and make a decision that serves the long-term health of the team.