The Pittsburgh Steelers are a team that underwent a lot of change throughout the 2025 offseason. There were changes made at pivotal positions, with quarterback being the most notable as the organization completely turned over the quarterback room for the second season in a row. The franchise brought in Aaron Rodgers, which was viewed as a questionable move by most due to the past two years being a little rocky for the veteran with the New York Jets. The four-time league MVP has already put any worries to bed, as he has played like one of the best quarterbacks in the AFC while being a great teammate in 2025.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers warms up before practice ahead of the 2025 season.
Rodgers was painted as a bad teammate and a poor leader during his time with the Jets, especially during the 2024 season after he returned from his Achilles injury. The issues that went on with the Jets were not his fault as the organization was in a constant state of dysfunction. The quarterback saw his head coach and general manager get fired in the middle of the season, and he took the fall for a ton of the Jets' shortcomings after those moves were made. In Pittsburgh, he seems to be a great teammate and an inspiring leader.
Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf spoke about player meetings that Rodgers leads, which happen weekly. He talked about this while interacting with the media on Wednesday.
"I mean, we have a player-led meeting on Thursdays where he's the head of the meeting," Metcalf said. "He does a lot of coaching up there. What he sees that we can do better, and everybody just listens to him and takes notes."
The veteran quarterback seems like a completely different person from how he was painted during his time with the Jets. That says a lot about the New York media, who constantly talked about the quarterback in a bad light. In Pittsburgh, the quarterback seems revitalized and surely having fun playing football again.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (right) and wide receiver DK Metcalf (left) smile as they talk during training camp in Latrobe, PA.
It is important to note that these player led meetings are not the same thing as "player only meetings," which are things that are usually held by teams that are struggling. For instance, the Miami Dolphins had multiple to begin the year, and it is usually a sign of questionable coaching and leadership. That is not the case in Pittsburgh, as these meetings are held weekly to make sure the players are all on the same page going into a matchup. Metcalf also shared that these were something he participated in during his time with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Steelers bringing in Rodgers was viewed as a risk, due to the public perception of him after his time with the Jets. However, it is hard to imagine anyone else playing quarterback for the Steelers during the 2025 season. He has played well, and not a single person within the facility has a bad word to say about the quarterback thus far. The organization seemingly made the right move as it continues to try to reach its goal of winning a seventh Super Bowl.
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers throws to DK Metcalf during a win over the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season.
Steelers Made The Right Move Giving The Quarterback Job To Aaron Rodgers
Ever since the end of the 2024 season, the quarterback position in Pittsburgh was the main topic of discussion. Some fans wanted Justin Fields back in the black and gold, while others wanted the organization to focus on drafting a quarterback near the top of the 2025 NFL Draft. Thankfully, Pittsburgh did not do that, and the organization trusted that Rodgers would sign with the Steelers eventually. He has played at a high level throughout the 2025 season as he has led the Steelers to a 4-2 record while tossing 14 touchdowns, which has him tied for fourth in the league.
What do you think about Rodgers holding player led meetings every week? Let us know in the comments below!
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