Former Steelers Enemy Has Very Interesting Take On Aaron Rodgers Playing In Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been one of the most active teams throughout the 2025 NFL offseason, and like always, will have a ton of eyes on them heading into the 2025 regular season. With the team's roster finally near finished (unless Omar Khan decides to make yet another splash), eyes turn to where they always are in the NFL: on the quarterback. 

Aaron Rodgers will be the fifth different quarterback in five years to start Week 1 for the Steelers, and he is easily the most controversial and debated option the team has went with. Despite being a four-time MVP, it is unclear to many in Steeler Nation if he has the ability to lead the team on a deep playoff run. That along with his sometimes controversial off the field actions leaves many questioning if he was the correct choice to lead this team. 

Long time Cleveland Brown and Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas was on the Rich Eisen Show recently and discussed how the Steelers and Rodgers will work together this season. Needless to say, he isn't sold on the marriage just yet either. 

"Really the big question is, can they get locker room buy in around [Rodgers]," Thomas said. "Earlier on in his career, and then even when he went to the Jets, there was a lot of hoopla and it was easy for the veterans and the players and the team to just buy all in. Hey, this was our lottery ticket, this was our missing piece. He's the guy that is going to be taking us to a championship. But, I think that aura around him is kind of gone at this point."

Based on the reaction around the NFL, the media, and now from Thomas, it is clear that not many are sold that Rodgers can still lead a team to the Super Bowl. After tearing his Achilles just a few plays into his tenure with the New York Jets back in 2023, and then failing to lead them to a winning record in 2024, Rodgers definitely isn't viewed in the same light as he once was. 

However, it doesn't appear anyone has told the Steelers organization that there are questions around Rodgers ability to perform at a high level. Whether it be the coaching staff, players, etc. there has been nothing but praise for Rodgers with his talent and his approach to this season so far. 

Training camp hasn't even started yet, so there is a lot to be determined on whether or not the Rodgers and Steelers marriage will result in the success both are hoping for. Both sides appear to understand this is very likely a one-year situation that gives each side a chance to make one last run at adding to their legacy. Rodgers for his respective Hall Of Fame career, and the Steelers before the re-invest in a rookie quarterback. 

Should the Steelers end up making a deep playoff run, or with some stroke of luck, win their seventh Super Bowl, there will be plenty of receipts to put on display from people who doubted Rodgers and this team. 

Steelers Might Not Be Done Adding To Their Roster

Whether or not everyone agrees with the moves that were made, no one can point to Khan and the moves he made and say he isn't trying to give the team the best chance to compete for a championship in 2025. What is most important about that, is the fact that their draft capital in 2026 has stayed intact, which will be needed if they do want to trade up to select a quarterback next season. 

However, despite the very active offseason, Khan may have more moves to make. Some Steelers insiders believe there will still be another move this offseason adding more talent to the roster, and the two most obvious areas for improvement are safety and wide receiver. Trading away Minkah Fitzpatrick likely leaves some question marks at safety, and while there is optimism around Calvin Austin III heading into this season, wide receiver depth has been a question for a few seasons now. 

Should Rodgers still have an 'aura' around him because of his ability to play at a high level? Let us know in the comments below!

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