When you suppose the wedding of Aaron Rodgers-Pittsburgh Steelers will begin as soon as quickly, you’ll be very dissatisfied by the latest replace of President Steelers, Artwork Rooney II
When he got here out of the periods of the League on Wednesday, Rooney informed ESPN that the staff would wait “somewhat longer” for Rodgers to decide, which was primarily Rooney’s reply when the identical query was a lot over a month in the past.
Subsequently, as a substitute of getting some readability, we proceed to descend this curler coaster which is the Aaron Rodgers expertise. Whereas you’ll not discover it by taking part in Otas in Pittsburgh, you may seek the advice of the latest three-hour podcast that has executed with Joe Rogan. Hey everybody has priorities, proper?
Personally, I would favor to see Steelers to signal Rodgers this season, simply not for the explanations you would take into consideration.
Everyone knows that Leisure is bought, not 9-Eight light groups with quarters that share the identical identify as a mystical Christmas Ren (Mason Rudolph). To borrow a phrase from the Gif Martin Scorsese, Steelers who signal Rodgers could be “absolute cinema” and I’m right here for that.
I’m additionally a historical past from the NFL, self -proclaimed and romantic helpless of the sports activities redemption tales. Watching a residing legend tries to revive his profession with a blue blood franchise making an attempt to get better his personal glory of the championship is just too good a story to withstand.
For these causes, Steelers who indicators Rodgers is greater than good with me. However whereas they could possibly be wonderful, it isn’t the perfect resolution for Steelers Logic talking.
Steelers, who by no means give a season (have 21 consecutive seasons that haven’t misplaced as proof), are definitely considering that Rodgers could possibly be the lacking puzzle piece to lastly snatch their drought for eight years, with out a victory in Playoff. Pittsburgh began 10-Three final season, in any case, earlier than crashing at an finish Zero-5. The weak sport of the quarter was partially guilty for collapse. The Steelers record is best now, and Pittsburgh will not be utterly fallacious within the thought that the signing of Rodgers (and a receptor of his cost) needs to be ample to document a victory in Playoff – and possibly much more in 2025.
These items might positively occur, however many ought to fall again. Rodgers ought to play on the degree that didn’t have since 2021, the fourth season of the MVP. Pittsburgh’s younger offensive line must develop outdated. Steelers must discover quite a few no. 2 ample to finish DK METCALF. The protection must play considerably higher than they did final yr, after they had been crushed and brutalized by the apparently everybody -especially Baltimore Ravens, which caught as much as 299 yard that rushed within the AFC Wild Card.
A half -filled glass particular person can see sufficient issues that fall through which Steelers, with Rodgers within the metropolis, might have an attractive season that features a very coveted playoff victory. That is the optimist in me. Nonetheless, the realist sees a distinct outcome, much less a rose for Mike Tomlin’s staff, if Rodgers is signed.
I am not on the rhythm Jets, however I watched a whole lot of Rodgers video games final season. Half time Rodgers performed comparatively near his common degree. Nonetheless, the remainder of the time, Rodgers seemed like a peel of his former self. He seemed tempt, insecure of himself and what he needed to observe. Many occasions in these moments, Rodgers made both a fallacious resolution or just a nasty piece. This occurred with a number of events in the course of the lack of Jets from the center of the season in Pittsburgh, the principle beneficiary of Rodgers’s errors being then Rookie’s defensive defensive, Beanie Bishop Jr., who elected Rodgers twice.
Two of Rodgers’ songs final season remained in my head: his wonderful passing to Garrett Wilson throughout his first match as a jet and an unexcusible interception throughout a loss on the finish of the season in Buffalo. His withdrawal step to Wilson was a reminiscence of the brightness that’s nonetheless in Rodgers’s arm and thoughts. Nonetheless, interception is a sober reminiscence of Rodgers’s diminution expertise.
Steelers followers keep in mind when Ben Roethlisberger has misplaced mobility and has been diminished to a statue lately of his future Corridor of Fame profession. They may watch the identical film now if Rodgers will come to city. Like Massive Ben, Rodgers used its mobility in its first to broaden the items. It was a big a part of his arsenal and one of many the reason why he might be launched into the canton, Ohio, in the future. And, whereas his mobility could possibly be higher this yr than it was in 2024 (when it was a yr away from his main damage), the Cellular Previous Rhodgers disappeared and was changed by a Rodgers who’s simply, properly, outdated.
Bodily means apart, signing Rodgers presents intangible dangers which might be in all probability not price it. With Rodgers, you invite the circle to your metropolis, your locker, Huddle, and many others. The titles might be submitted all through the nation each time Rodgers speaks in Pat McAfee’s present, and the teammates might be continually obligatory with questions on him. It is going to solely be a matter of time earlier than Tomlin or one other excessive -ranking member (TJ Watt? Cam Heyward? Minkah Fitzpatrick?) Merely had sufficient.
There’s additionally the optics of the state of affairs. What does it inform gamers taking part in OTA (particularly the quarterfinals Rudolph and Will Howard) when Rodgers ultimately seem and is virtually obtained at work? Clearly, the state of affairs might be rationalized as a legend that doesn’t have to participate in voluntary coaching at this stage of his profession. In fact, there’s in all probability a whole lot of reality on this regard, however this isn’t appropriate, particularly within the eyes of at the least extra gamers.
From the workers perspective, including Rodgers will forestall the staff’s means to see what might have in Howard, a nationwide school champion that has a substantial potential. There’s additionally the issue Rudolph. He has received the final three begins of the common season in Pittsburgh and was busy with this offseason studying the staff’s playbook and developed a relationship together with his teammates. Make sure that not everybody might be blissful to see him giving up his job with somebody who has not been round, even when somebody is without doubt one of the biggest quarters of all time.
Lastly, nevertheless, that is largely a stretching level. Steelers, if we’re brutal honest, will in all probability spend Sunday Tremendous Bowl watching the sport like the remainder of us. Pittsburgh’s record is nice, however it’s in all probability not adequate to actually compete with the convention weights. Steelers, extra possible, may have one other lovely season, the ceiling being a victory within the playoff.
Nonetheless, in 2026, Steelers-which might be armed with a whole lot of tasks of tasks are ready for the whole lot to seek out their long-term quarter. They may by no means say it, however season 2025 is an experimental one for black and gold: Let’s have a look at how properly we might be this yr earlier than loading and fascinating in our future within the place of quarters of 2026. Subsequently, it doesn’t matter what I do at Quarterback this yr, it can in all probability not imply a lot in the long term.
There’s a probability that it may result in a contented ending, each for Rodgers and the staff, however the probabilities of taking place usually are not nice. Steelers are higher with out him.