ESPN: Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Is Easily An Upgrade Over Russell Wilson And Justin Fields In 2025

The Pittsburgh Steelers ultimately landed one of the best quarterbacks in recent history by signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason. This move marks a major turning point as the team looks to elevate the offense and stay competitive in a tough league.

The arrival of Rodgers in Pittsburgh hasn’t come without criticism, as some believe the team should have stuck with one of last year’s quarterbacks. However, not everyone agrees with that sentiment. During a recent segment of NFL Live, ESPN analyst Anthony “Booger” McFarland voiced his support for the Steelers’ decision, firmly backing the move to bring in Rodgers. He made it clear that Rodgers is undoubtedly the better option and delivered a strong message to critics who think otherwise.

"If you think for one moment that Aaron Rodgers is not an upgrade over Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, then you got another thing coming," McFarland shared.

Last season, the Steelers brought in two quarterbacks with prior starting experience, both signed to short-term, financially savvy contracts. The first of those signings was veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, a former Super Bowl champion who brought an impressive resume. Despite his storied career, Wilson had been released by the Denver Broncos, who absorbed the majority of his remaining contract. This allowed the Steelers to sign him at a bargain, making the move both low-risk and high-reward. At the time, many believed Wilson was being brought in to take over as the starter, and ultimately, that assumption proved true as he was given the opportunity to lead the offense heading into the season.

However, before the season could even begin, Wilson suffered a calf injury that sidelined him for the first several weeks of the regular season. In his absence, the Steelers turned to the other quarterback they had acquired during the offseason, Justin Fields. Fields was traded from the Chicago Bears, and because he was still on his rookie contract, Pittsburgh was able to bring him in on another financially-friendly deal. Fields had developed a strong fan following in Chicago, and that enthusiasm quickly carried over to Steelers fans, who embraced his dynamic playing style and potential as a young quarterback.

Fields led the Steelers to an impressive 4-2 record during the six weeks he served as the starting quarterback while Wilson recovered. His strong performance generated optimism and sparked excitement among fans. However, despite the early success, Fields was benched once Wilson returned from his injury.That debate only intensified during the offseason, as speculation grew about who would be the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the 2025 season.

Ultimately, Fields chose to sign with the New York Jets, the same team Rodgers had just left. Fields is expected to take over as the starting quarterback in New York. There were reports suggesting that Fields may have originally been the Steelers' top choice for the future, and plenty of speculation has followed about why things didn’t work out. However, it’s widely believed that the decision came down to Fields himself. Many believe his choice was influenced by how he was handled in Pittsburgh, feeling he wasn’t given a fair opportunity to prove himself as the long-term starter. Others believe it was as simple as the Jets offering more money.

Even after the signing of Rodgers, many fans continue to believe that Fields would have been the better choice for the Steelers. However, it's difficult to argue against the amount of experience and proven success Rodgers brings to the table. His one-year deal reflects the understanding that he’s not the long-term solution for the franchise. That future answer will most likely come through a quarterback selected in an upcoming NFL Draft.

Steelers Will Face-Off Against Fields In Week 1

Fans won’t have to wait long to see Rodgers and Fields go head-to-head, as the Steelers and Jets are set to face off in Week 1. This won’t be the first time these two quarterbacks have battled, in fact, Rodgers and Fields have matched up several times before as NFC North division rivals. While Fields has yet to win any of those games, the rivalry between the Bears and Rodgers’ former team, the Green Bay Packers, was always intense. That competitive fire is likely to carry over into this upcoming matchup, reigniting a familiar duel in a brand new setting, with a brand new meaning. 

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