The Pittsburgh Steelers were in constant pursuit of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers ever since free agency began. He wasn't the franchise's first choice at quarterback, but after a process that took nearly three months, the quarterback wound up signing a deal in Pittsburgh. Some fans have doubted the signing after a rough two seasons with the New York Jets for Rodgers, but he showed during the 2024 campaign that he can still be a good quarterback at the NFL level. He is now further removed from the Achilles injury he suffered at the start of the 2023 season, and he should be a better version of himself on the football field in 2025.
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Aaron Rodgers throwing a no look pass during Steelers minicamp in 2025.
Rodgers will go down as one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the NFL, but he is no longer the player he once was. He is now 41-years old, and he will be adjusting to a new team in Pittsburgh. However, he is likely the best quarterback the Steelers have had in years, which should give the fan base some hope. The defense is looking to bounce back in 2025 as well, and the offensive line should be taking a step forward -- which means all signs are pointing to a more successful season in 2025.
Long snapper Christian Kuntz shared that the team is very optimistic during a recent appearance on Kaboly + Mack.
"We get a guy like Aaron Rodgers that knows how to manipulate a defense the way he does and the guy's a four-time MVP, Super Bowl champ," Kuntz stated. "Like what the h*** are we talking about? We got this guy in the locker room; we got a chance. It don't matter. So, the vibes are definitely extremely high."
The Steelers truly believe they have a chance to be serious contenders, despite most fans probably not sharing that same sentiment. The fan base is sick and tired of the organization doing enough to win and sneak into the playoffs, but ultimately getting blown out at some point to end the season. It has been a constant, repeating cycle over the last several seasons, and it has the entire city of Pittsburgh on edge.
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) practices at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex during the 2025 minicamp, Tuesday June 10, 2025.
Rodgers only won five games with the Jets during the 2024 season, but that organization was full of dysfunction. The head coach was fired at the beginning of the season, and the roster was significantly younger than the roster in Pittsburgh. Rodgers can focus on coming into the Steel City now just to play quarterback, while in New York, he was forced to be a savior. He can still lead in Pittsburgh, but there are other tenured players there that can do that as well.
The culture is already set in Pittsburgh, and that cannot be said about New York. The culture was set with the Green Bay Packers too, and Rodgers had them competitive nearly every season of his tenure there. There is no reason to believe that will change in Pittsburgh.
Steelers Can Give Aaron Rodgers Ideal Ending To His Career
Rodgers has had a spectacular career in the NFL, but his stint with the Jets will certainly go down as a blemish on his resume. His time in New York did not go as planned, and he now has a chance to rewrite that to end his career. He has already come out and said that the 2025 season will probably be his last, and he has a chance to be able to compete while lining up under center in Pittsburgh.
Steelers.com
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers during mandatory minicamp in June of 2025.
The Steelers always find a way to sneak into the AFC playoffs, and maybe Rodgers will be able to find a way to land the organization its first playoff win in nearly a decade.
What do you think is Pittsburgh's ceiling with Rodgers at quarterback? Let us know in the comments below!
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