Steelers' Veteran Core Could Unlock The Best Version Of Aaron Rodgers: "Urgency Is Going To Be Palpable"

The Pittsburgh Steelers dominated headlines for months this offseason because of the uncertainty surrounding who would take over as their starting quarterback. After countless rumors and a lot of speculation, the Steelers finally made their move by signing veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year deal. While that move answered one major question, it only created a new topic of conversation. Now, the attention has shifted to how well Rodgers will do and whether the future Hall of Famer still has what it takes to still perform at the highest level.

Recently, Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer appeared on The Rich Eisen Show, where they talked about a wide range of NFL topics. When the conversation shifted to the Steelers, it naturally turned to Rodgers and expectations for his performance. Breer expressed support that Rodgers will do well this season, primarily because of the players around him, which he believes is significantly better than what Rodgers had last year.

"I think it’s the nuance of why he went there over the [New York] Giants…," Breer said. "The Giants were going to ask him to do what the [New York] Jets asked him to do, which was take a young core that’s got talent in it and lift it up."

Rodgers made major headlines when he left the Green Bay Packers after 18 seasons to lead the offense for the New York Jets. Unfortunately, his time in New York didn’t go as well as he had hoped. Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles on the very first drive of the 2023 season, keeping him out for just about the entire year. Since leaving the organization, he has voiced frustrations with how things were handled by the Jets organization. Adding to the situation, were the rumors questioning Rodgers' reputation as a teammate, which didn't help him out in this situation.

Since joining the Steelers, Rodgers has received nothing but praise for his attitude and leadership. He’s already stepped into a mentorship role for rookie quarterback Will Howard, showing a willingness to mentor and support younger guys. According to Breer, this positive shift may be largely due to the strong veteran presence in Pittsburgh. Being surrounded by experienced players allows Rodgers to share the leadership load, rather than carry it entirely himself. With legitimate peers around him, he can focus on playing and mentoring without the burden of having to single-handedly lead the entire offense.

"I believe the reason why he picked the Steelers over the Giants was because he’d be jumping on a moving train with guys who are legitimately his peers… so I think that’s urgency is going to be palpable in their training camp that this one shot that everybody there has," Breer added.

During the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback situation for the Steelers, several teams were reportedly interested in Rodgers, including the New York Giants. Ultimately, Rodgers chose to sign with the Steelers, and the reasoning shared by Breer, seems understandable. After his disappointing time with the Jets, it’s unlikely Rodgers would want to risk experiencing a similar situation again. With Rodgers recently hinting that this could be his final year in the NFL, it makes sense that he would prioritize a team environment where he can enjoy the game and contribute without the overwhelming pressure of having to carry the entire offense on his own.

The Steelers Have Strong Veteran Presence

Breer highlighted several players on the Steelers' roster as "legitimate peers" for Rodgers, including TJ Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and Cam Heyward. These players are not only key pieces of the team, but have also earned Rodgers’ respect, as he’s already spoken highly of them since joining the Steelers. Heyward, in particular, is known for his leadership both on and off the field. Interestingly, before Rodgers officially signed with Pittsburgh, Heyward had made some comments about him that were initially taken out of context and sparked headlines. However, Heyward later clarified his remarks and voiced his support for the idea of Rodgers joining the team, even before the deal was finalized.

The Steelers still have a lot of work ahead, but there’s still plenty of time left in the offseason to continue building chemistry and master the scheme. All eyes will be on the Steelers as they balance between experienced veterans and promising young talent to create a new roster. In specific, Rodgers will be closely watched as he goes on what could be the final chapter of his career, joined by other key veterans who may also be nearing the end of their careers.

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