Steelers' 2x Super Bowl Champ Warns Aaron Rodgers That It’s Mason Rudolph Time

The Pittsburgh Steelers made waves in the 2025 offseason when it was revealed that Aaron Rodgers would finally be joining the team. There were split opinions on how much impact he would or could have in Pittsburgh. So far in the 2025 season, Rodgers has thrown for 1,853 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s completed 66.8% of his passes, and the Steelers are currently 5-4. 

However, a recent road loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, 25-10, saw Rodgers play one of the worst games of his career, fueling overreactions from pundits and sparking some eye-opening takes around the league. During the loss to the Chargers, the Steelers' offense couldn't execute. They were an ugly 2/11 on third down. Rodgers missed a ton of big throws and completed just 51.6% of his passes.

On Thursday during an appearance on 93.7 The Fan, former two-time Steelers Super Bowl champion Chris Hoke weighed in on Rodgers’ struggles. Hoke suggested that the team’s patience with Rodgers might be wearing thin and hinted that the leash for the veteran quarterback could be shorter than many expected. He didn’t shy away from the controversial idea that it might soon be time for Mason Rudolph to take the helm, especially if Rodgers continues to underperform or fails to meet the lofty expectations placed on him when he arrived in Pittsburgh.

"I think Mason [Rudolph] could go out there and run that offense very, very well. So possibly," Hoke said on the 93.7 The Fan show on Thursday. "If Aaron Rodgers plays like he played on Sunday night, absolutely. But Aaron also has played really well this year, so what Aaron Rodgers are we gonna get this Sunday against the Bengals? I think the next two, three weeks is gonna tell. If he plays like he played on Sunday night, I think you gotta make the switch."

Hoke’s comments have added fuel to the ongoing debate about Rodgers’ future with the Steelers. While some fans and analysts argue that Rodgers’ poor performances are outliers in an otherwise solid 2025 season, others point to his age and recent inconsistency as warning signs. 

The Steelers now face a delicate balancing act: deciding whether to stick with a future Hall of Famer trying to rediscover his form or to start planning for the possibility of a transition to Rudolph. 

The next few games could prove pivotal in determining which path Pittsburgh ultimately chooses. However, it doesn't seem likely that Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin would entertain a change. 

Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Unlikely To Get Benched No Matter What

Tomlin clearly has a lot of love and respect for Rodgers, and the mutual respect between the two gives them confidence that they can figure things out. At times during the 2025 season, they have managed to get the offense clicking. Now it is on the Steelers to turn the tide and get consistent results. 

Rodgers is unlikely to be benched under any circumstances, largely due to how Tomlin operates. Remember, he did not bench Russell Wilson during the losing streak in the 2024 season. Tomlin holds Rodgers in even higher regard.

While Hoke’s take is interesting, it is not expected to become reality. Rudolph has repeatedly proven himself as a backup during his career outside of Pittsburgh, and there is little indication he will take over in the Steel City. For better or worse, this is Rodgers’ team, and the franchise is committed to him leading the offense.

Based on Chris Hoke’s comments, do you think the Steelers should switch to Mason Rudolph if Aaron Rodgers struggles again? 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. I will respond!

#SteelerNation