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We’re officially into the offseason as the NFL rumors start to swirl roughly one month away from the beginning of the free agency period. The Pittsburgh Steelers and their starting quarterback for the next season are an ongoing topic each offseason. The yearly topic surfaces as the Steelers enter the offseason with questions as the position for a fourth-consecutive year following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger after the 2021 season.
Last offseason the Steelers were embroiled in finding Big Ben’s eventual heir after moving on from all three of the 2023 seasons’ starting quarterbacks: Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, and Mason Rudolph. They were replaced with Russell Wilson, Justin Fields, and Kyle Allen, none of whom are under contract as the new league year approaches next month.
That means the Steelers are again at the center of quarterback speculation, this time linked to future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. While some fans and sportsbooks place the Steelers as favorites to land the veteran QB, many in Pittsburgh—including team members—seem uninterested in the idea.
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott made waves when he publicly dismissed the possibility of Rodgers joining the team. In a now-deleted post on Instagram, Elliott responded to rumors about the Steelers acquiring Rodgers with a blunt statement:
https://www.twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1889472919920619802
Elliott’s comment reflects a sentiment shared by man in Steelers Nation, including those here at SCU: Rodgers isn’t the answer for Pittsburgh’s quarterback problems.
Rodgers isn’t the future
One of those problems is the Steelers failure to win a postseason game since the conclusion of the 2016 season. Russell Wilson came to town with a promise to turn that tide. While at 36 years of age, Wilson isn’t a long-term solution but taking on a 41-year-old quarterback is a bigger risk. Rodgers appeared in every game for the Jets this season, but famously played four snaps in his first year with the team before going on season-ending injured reserve in 2023.
Now pair that risk with whatever Rodgers’ contract demands could be and a bad situation could potentially come worse.
Most expect Rodgers to be released from the third year of his current three-year $112.5 million contract, which had $75 million of it guaranteed. Running some totals, Rodgers could be in a similar “bargain” situation as Wilson, who signed for near the league’s minimum, depending on his contract language.
If that isn’t the case, then Rodgers becomes a higher-dollar gamble with question marks as to his durability and longevity as his career comes to a close.
Drama
Steelers fans are not in the mood for distractions: something Aaron Rodgers seems to bring with him on a weekly basis.
Rodgers famously headlined numerous spats with his previous organization, the Green Bay Packers, before getting traded to the New York Jets. Among those famous storylines were talks about public health, teammates, and even several days in a dark chamber to decide his future.
At a time when Steelers management is prioritizing long-term success, distractions like the quarterback speculation can take attention away from pressing football matters.
Drama was already a debate with Roethlisberger during the twilight of his career. Big Ben sparked several changes within the organization, including a feud that saw Antonio Brown traded and Todd Haley fired and replaced with Roethlisberger friend Randy Fichtner.
Elliott’s remarks has sparked debates about how Rodgers would be received in the Steelers’ locker room. With a roster built around younger talent, adding a veteran like Rodgers could create similar issues, especially with strong personalities like Elliott voicing concerns.
Breaking: The Jets have informed Aaron Rodgers that the team will be moving in a different direction at quarterback. pic.twitter.com/vDOAFjOTp9
— ESPN (@espn) February 13, 2025
Rodgers’ future remains uncertain
The New York Jets have informed Rodgers that they are moving on from him, leaving him without a team for 2025.
Rodgers, is expected to be released soon, but it remains unclear where he will land. While the Steelers have popped up as odds-on favorites, and the QB has publicly flirted with playing for head coach Mike Tomlin, other teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans have been linked to the veteran quarterback.
There’s also a chance he doesn’t play at all in 2025, as Rodgers himself has not ruled out retirement too.
What’s Next for the Steelers?
For now, Pittsburgh does not appear interested in Rodgers, but the Steelers have a history of keeping all options open. Perhaps if Rodgers significantly lowers his contract demands, or if the team has serious concerns about re-signing Wilson or Fields, they may reconsider.
However, based on Elliott’s comments and the team’s current stance, Rodgers in Pittsburgh seems unlikely.
Aaron Rodgers is not the answer for the Steelers appeared first on Steel City Underground.