The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is in a bit of an uncertain situation heading into the 2025 season. As it stands at the start of June, Aaron Rodgers isn’t on the Steelers roster. Pittsburgh has been entangled in a saga involving Rodgers all offseason. Rumors and reports have suggested that Rodgers is still expected to be the team’s starting quarterback, but he has not made his intentions clear. Until he speaks publicly, questions will continue to swirl around his future and the direction of the Steelers' offense.
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Former Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a professional football game on the road.
If Rodgers decides not to come to Pittsburgh, Mason Rudolph will likely be the starting quarterback. Many fans have come to appreciate Rudolph’s efforts, especially after how he stepped up at the end of the 2023 season.
However, there is limited confidence that he can lead the Steelers on a deep playoff run. He has proven to be a capable backup and a solid locker room presence, but there are still doubts about whether he can carry the full weight of a starting role over the course of a full season.Former Steelers Offensive Coordinator Todd Haley recently shared his thoughts on the situation during an appearance on The SiriusXM Blitz.
Haley was honest about what Rodgers would bring to Pittsburgh, saying that despite his age and recent setbacks, he still believes Rodgers would give the Steelers the best chance to win. With a strong defense and a solid supporting cast on offense, Haley sees the addition of Rodgers as the move that could take the Steelers from a fringe playoff team to a legitimate contender.
"I still believe, like I said all along, he’s the best option for the Steelers for the situation they’re in at this time. Maybe he signs, maybe he doesn’t. If he does sign, maybe it looks great, maybe it looks average," Haley said. "I still think it’s the best option and one I’d be willing to take a risk on knowing you only get so many shots at this. You’ve got a really good defense. You’ve got one of the best head coaches in the league. You now have an offensive coordinator who I think is really good at what he does, especially for that team."
Haley likes the idea of Rodgers joining the Steelers, even at 41 years old and despite Rodgers winning only five games with the New York Jets in 2024.
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Aaron Rodgers shows frustration during the 2024 season with the New York Jets.
He acknowledged the struggles in New York but made it clear he doesn’t believe those issues were Rodgers’ fault. Instead, Haley pointed to the dysfunction within the Jets organization as the root cause of their disappointing season.
"What was going on in New York was very disturbing to me, too many times," Haley added. "Whether it was the coordinator, how the head coach handled situations, or how Aaron was allowed to handle the whole situation. I’m gonna lean on that and say he doesn’t have to be Aaron Rodgers from 10 years ago, but I saw enough last year."
In Haley’s view, the Steelers would provide Rodgers with a far better environment to succeed. He believes Pittsburgh’s stability, leadership, and overall structure make it a much more suitable destination for a veteran quarterback. Haley emphasized that the Steelers’ culture and coaching would allow Rodgers to focus solely on football, without the distractions that plagued his time in New York.
Steelers Remain In "Win-Now" Mode Heading Into 2025 Season
Haley’s analysis suggests that Rodgers still has plenty to offer in the right setting. He sees Pittsburgh as a team ready to compete and believes that if Rodgers is healthy and motivated, the Steelers could quickly become one of the most dangerous teams in the AFC.
The Steelers remain stuck in an awkward position. They are technically in win-now mode, but many believe a rebuild might be the smarter path forward. Their defense is one of the highest-paid in the league, but its stars are aging. TJ Watt is still playing at a high level, but he is no longer in the early stages of his career. Minkah Fitzpatrick struggled in 2024, and while Cam Heyward played well last season, it is uncertain how much longer he can continue at that level.
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Steelers' Cameron Heyward, TJ Watt, and Minkah Fitzpatrick celebrate after a big defensive play against the Atlanta Falcons.
That is exactly why Haley believes Steelers fans should embrace the idea of Rodgers. He sees Rodgers as the type of veteran quarterback who could help the team capitalize on its remaining window to contend rather than waste the final prime years of its top defensive leaders.
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