The Pittsburgh Steelers went all in in the 2025 offseason to get Aaron Rodgers to be their quarterback. It was clear that Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin, who has not won a playoff game since the 2016 season, felt that Rodgers was his best chance to end that drought. Many pundits were skeptical after Rodgers won just five games with the New York Jets during the 2024 season, but Tomlin and the Steelers believed that even in his 40s, Rodgers’ football IQ, experience, and talent gave them the best opportunity to compete in the 2025 season.
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Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin shakes hands with former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game as quarterback Russell Wilson looks on in the background.
That belief now comes down to one game. The Steelers must beat the Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 if they want to win the AFC North and secure a playoff spot. For the 42 year old Rodgers, this matchup could be his final game in the NFL, as the 2025 season marks his 21st year in the league. After losing a hat and T-shirt game to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, many around the league have begun to count Pittsburgh out.
Kay Adams is not one of them. On her show Up & Adams on Friday, Adams explained why she remains confident that Rodgers can lead the Steelers on a deep playoff run. She emphasized Rodgers’ ability to rise in high pressure moments, his control of the offense, and the edge he plays with when doubt surrounds him.
"This is a big one for Aaron [Rodgers] that we all need to be thinking about," Adams said. "I was thinking about it the other day. It feels like no one has the sense that this team is capable of going on a run in the playoffs. I am like why? Why if it's Aaron? Is it so crazy to think that Aaron Rodgers, I repeat Aaron fu***ng Rodgers... is it crazy to think that he can put this Steelers team on his back and go on one last storybook Disney run? I don't think this is crazy... This is his first shot at a playoff run in four years. Four years! That is kind of crazy. We have seen enough from him physically this year to see and co-sign that he is still capable of doing it."
While much of the national conversation suggests the Steelers are running out of time, Adams believes this is exactly the type of situation where Rodgers has thrived throughout his career.
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Steelers' Head Coach Mike Tomlin smiles while walking off the field with quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Adams also believes that the Steelers' defense is going to make sure they beat the Ravens for Rodgers.
"The defense should be good enough," Adams said. "That defense in the room has to be like, 'We can do this. We have to do this for Aaron.' What is the value in the calculus of it being his last game? They are gonna win this game [against the Ravens]. I think they are gonna win this game. It's a loaded AFC field, so I don't know how far they can go, but why are we writing off the Steelers with Aaron Rodgers? What has he shown us to make us think that he can't do it? Can't he dig deep for this one game? Doesn't he want it more than Lamar [Jackson]? Doesn't he want it more than the Ravens?"
Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Might Be Able To Take This Roster To The Super Bowl
Despite an up and down season, the Steelers have flashed life when it has mattered most. Aside from the 13-6 loss to the Browns.
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Former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers celebrates a score in the Super Bowl.
If they take down the Ravens in Week 18, many will agree with Adams that Rodgers may still have one sneaky run left to remind everyone why he bet on himself.
If the Steelers make the playoffs, how far can they go with Aaron Rodgers? 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!
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