One of the biggest storylines for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2025 offseason was the acquisition of four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is a shoe-in future Hall of Famer, and one of the most talented quarterbacks to ever play the game, but also one of the most polarizing figures in all of football. Fans know the on-field version of Rodgers is legendary, but it’s his personality and off-the-field drama that have grabbed just as many headlines over the years. Recently, one of Pittsburgh’s own former stars had a run-in with Rodgers that didn’t exactly go smoothly.
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Steelers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on with intense focus in street clothes as the team works out during a 2025 training camp practice at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
Former Steelers safety Ryan Clark, who won a Super Bowl with the team and became a fan favorite for his hard-hitting style, has been in the spotlight in a different way since retiring in 2015. Clark quickly transitioned into sports broadcasting and has been with ESPN for years now.
He’s carved out a reputation as someone who isn’t afraid to say what he really thinks, even if it’s harsh, and Steelers fans have seen it plenty of times. Clark has ripped the team for certain decisions, schemes, and most recently, the signing of Rodgers.
Get Up ESPN
Ryan Clark on the set of Get Up! on ESPN
Clark and Rodgers have actually crossed paths with criticism before. It’s nothing new that these two have had things to say about each other. But on a recent episode of the Football America! podcast with Dave Dameshek, Clark shared a story that showed just how real the tension between him and Rodgers still is.
"There was a lot of people who I felt like were excited to see me in camp, and then there was one," Clark said.
Everyone listening knew right away who Clark was talking about. Rodgers was clearly the “one” who didn’t seem thrilled to see him at training camp. Clark didn’t try to spin it too much, though. He wanted to make it clear he wasn’t bitter about it.
"It strangely enough made me respect him. I have nothing against the dude, he’s fine," Clark said. "He’s the quarterback with our team now. I actually don’t dislike him."
Still, Clark admitted he went out of his way to try to smooth things over with Rodgers. He thought it would be good to welcome the new quarterback to Pittsburgh and start things fresh. Rodgers, however, wasn’t interested in any kind of conversation.
"I respected it because he was like, ‘I’m not gonna be fake,’" Clark said. "For whatever he feels or whatever it is, he’s not someone that I fool with in that way, and I’m not going to fake it. And I think it set the tone that you and I don’t talk."
It’s hard to blame Rodgers for brushing Clark off. Earlier this summer, when Rodgers was dragging his feet on whether or not he’d even join the Steelers, Clark was one of the loudest critics. He didn’t hold back his frustration with how long the process was taking and even questioned whether the Steelers should’ve gone after Rodgers in the first place. So from Rodgers’ point of view, why pretend to be friendly with someone who had been ripping him not long ago?
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Still, the situation says a lot about both guys. Clark showed he was willing to move on and welcome Rodgers to the team, even after being critical. Rodgers, on the other hand, showed he wasn’t going to fake a friendship just for appearances. At the end of the day, both men actually walked away with respect for one another, even if they won’t be grabbing dinner together anytime soon.
Steelers' Clark Says There Will Be Negativity In 2025
Dameshek and Clark continued their discussion about Rodgers and the Steelers, and Clark knows how high the expectations are for this team heading into 2025.
"If this team doesn't make it to the AFC Championship, they're going to be people that say this is a failure," Clark said. "If this team doesn't win a Wild Card game, it is going to be tough to win the AFC North.. there is going to be a ton of negativity surrounding this team whenever there is a loss, whenever there is a setback, or whenever Aaron Rodgers doesn't play well."
Clark is exactly right. Expectations are high in the Steel City this season, and any sort of rough patch the Steelers face this year will be followed by negativity. It will be up to Rodgers to calm the storm, and keep the ship heading in the right direction.
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