The Pittsburgh Steelers are sitting at 4-2 in the 2025 season. Aaron Rodgers, even at 41 years old, has looked pretty solid as he has passed for 14 touchdowns and just five interceptions while throwing for 1,270 passing yards. When it was first revealed that the Steelers were pursuing Rodgers in the 2025 offseason, many fans were worried because of his age and whether he could actually help the offense. So far, he has done just that, and it has been the defensive struggles holding the team back.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks at his play sheet during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
As the NFL trade deadline rapidly approaches on November 4th, many pundits believe Steelers General Manager Omar Khan could be looking to add help at the wide receiver position. Many in the national media seriously believe that the Steelers’ offense needs more help in the wide receiver room beyond just DK Metcalf.
However, while speaking on his podcast Footbahlin on Tuesday, former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger disagreed that Khan should trade for a wide receiver, which is a controversial stance for many Steelers fans to hear. Roethlisberger explained that the Steelers should stay patient and focus on improving with the group they already have instead of forcing a trade.
"We are not throwing it 40 to 50 times a game," Roethlisberger said while speaking on his podcast Tuesday. "I don’t think we need to. I think what the offense is doing right now is just fine. You are churning out 30 points, you have a running back that is running the ball very hard, Aaron is being protected. He is not being sacked. Now if all of the sudden we are at 14 points, 17, maybe 21 and we are not doing anything, then we can be more concerned."
Roethlisberger was just saying that the offense isn’t the problem. After last Thursday's performance, there's seemingly a lot of truth to that.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
It is the defense holding the team back currently, and with the way Steelers Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith has operated the offensive schemes, adding a wide receiver like Chris Olave may sound like an appealing fix. However, it may not actually address the real issue holding the Steelers back.
"Right now, I am not really concerned with the offense," Roethlisberger said. "You keep doing what you are doing and finding ways to put points on the board… At the moment, I don’t think it’s necessary. What’s the goal of getting a second wide receiver right now?"
He pointed out that making a midseason move can sometimes create more problems than it solves, particularly when it comes to chemistry and understanding the offense. The former quarterback suggested that Pittsburgh’s offensive struggles could be fixed internally with better execution and consistency rather than by bringing in an outside player at the deadline.
Not All Steelers Fans Will Agree With Ben Roethlisberger’s Point Of View
Still, not everyone agrees with Roethlisberger’s point of view. Many fans believe the Steelers need an immediate spark in the passing game to remain competitive in a tough AFC playoff race. With the trade deadline drawing closer, Khan faces a crucial decision that could shape how the rest of the season unfolds, whether to trust the current roster or take a chance on adding another playmaker.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers throws to DK Metcalf during a win over the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
Rodgers has played well, but it has been the highly compensated defense not doing its job. If the defense can tighten up and play at the level many experts believe it can, this team has the potential to make a deep run. While it may sound exciting to add another wide receiver alongside Metcalf, Roethlisberger does not see that as a need right now.
Do you agree with Ben Roethlisberger’s point about the offense not really needing help at wide receiver? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me.
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