The Pittsburgh Steelers finally got clarity on the quarterback position on Thursday. It was revealed that Aaron Rodgers agreed to terms with Pittsburgh and is set to sign with the team. Rodgers is expected to take over as the starting quarterback for the 2025 season, giving the Steelers a proven leader and one of the most accomplished passers in NFL history. The move signals a clear win-now mentality for a franchise that has struggled to find a long-term answer under center.
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Former Steelers backup quarterbacks Brian Hoyer (3) and Charlie Batch (16) during the 2012 NFL season.
Not everyone is pleased with how the situation has unfolded. Former Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch joined Unsportsmanlike on Friday and didn’t hold back when discussing Head Coach Mike Tomlin. Batch said Tomlin should still be held accountable for the team’s recent failures, pointing to a string of disappointing finishes, inconsistent quarterback play, and a lack of offensive identity. He made it clear that adding Rodgers doesn’t automatically fix the problems that have built up over several seasons.
Batch’s remarks have sparked conversation among fans and analysts who believe the organization has been too lenient with Tomlin. While Rodgers gives the Steelers a real shot at contending, there are still serious questions about whether the current coaching staff can get the most out of the roster. This upcoming season may be one of the most important of Tomlin’s career, and the pressure is on to prove that the Steelers are finally headed in the right direction.
"He absolutely deserves all of the blame," Batch said Friday. "Why is because he hired Matt Canada. That was a disaster for three years. So now, you're trying to rebuild off of that. You lost the quarterback that you drafted that could possibly fit in the Matt Canada offense with Kenny Pickett."
Batch’s biggest critique of Tomlin centers around the Matt Canada disaster and the ongoing quarterback carousel that has plagued the Steelers in recent years. Since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, Pittsburgh has struggled to find stability at the most important position in football.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin and ex-Offensive Coordinator Matt Canada chat during a practice.
Batch believes Tomlin’s inability to establish a clear offensive identity or develop a long-term solution at quarterback has been a major reason for the team’s lack of postseason success. That's exactly why he thinks Tomlin deserves a ton of blame for the state of the team.
"You're now on to your second quarterback in two years since you traded Kenny Pickett," Batch said. "You had Russell Wilson, Justin Fields last year, but now Aaron Rodgers [is] here. He understands that's what comes with the territory because Steelers fans have been spoiled because Ben Roethlisberger was at the helm for 18 years."
The Steelers used a first-round pick on Kenny Pickett, only to move on from him after two underwhelming seasons. In 2024, the team took a gamble by bringing in both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, hoping that competition would spark a turnaround.
Instead, the experiment fell flat, and Pittsburgh allowed both quarterbacks to leave in free agency after just one year. It was another failed attempt to solve the quarterback puzzle.
Steelers' Mike Tomlin Is Going All-In On Aaron Rodgers
Now, the Steelers are betting everything on Rodgers. According to reports, Tomlin pushed hard for Rodgers, believing the veteran was the team’s best shot at winning in 2025. While the move brings star power and experience, Batch argues that it’s another example of Tomlin patching over deeper problems with short-term answers. Whether or not this gamble pays off, the pressure on Tomlin has never been higher.
Tomlin hasn’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season. While the fan base appreciates everything he’s done for the franchise, many believe his voice has grown stale. Despite never having a losing season, there is a growing sense among fans that it’s time for a new era in Pittsburgh.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game as quarterback Russell Wilson looks on in the background.
Still, Tomlin isn’t going down without giving it his best shot. He sees Rodgers as the piece that could turn everything around and get the Steelers back into serious contention. Bringing in a quarterback of Rodgers' caliber is a bold move, and it shows just how determined Tomlin is to silence the doubters.
The 2025 season is shaping up to be one of the most fascinating in recent Steelers history. With Rodgers under center and Tomlin’s legacy on the line, all eyes will be on Pittsburgh to see if this high-stakes gamble can finally deliver postseason success.
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