Bill Cowher expects Steelers to entertain signing QB Aaron Rodgers


Miami Dolphins v New York Jets
Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images

Will the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers?

The Pittsburgh Steelers enter the 2025 offseason without a legitimate starting quarterback under contract. While bringing back Justin Fields or potentially running things back with Russell Wilson are options, many would rather see Pittsburgh swing a bit further to try and land a bigger fish. Matthew Stafford is becoming a popular name, but it’s another Super Bowl winner that former Steelers head coach Bill Cowher thinks the organization will entertain – Aaron Rodgers.

Cowher went on The Dan Patrick Show and said he expects there to be conversations internally in Pittsburgh about bringing in the four-time NFL MVP.

“I think there’s going to be a sense of urgency,” Cowher said. “Taking some guys on the back end of their careers. T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward. They’re in the latter stages of their careers. So they want to win now. That’s a big part of what they want to do, but you’ve also got to have a plan moving forward and at that position. There will be dialogue there, but those will be conversations taking place in that building.”

Steelers safety DeShon Elliott made his feelings known about this possibility, saying Rodgers can “leave his a** at the retirement home” in an Instagram comment.

While the Jets didn’t have a great season in 2024, finishing 5-12, Rodgers threw 28 touchdown passes and is clearly still a starting-caliber quarterback. That said, what does a 42 year-old quarterback do for the immediate future of the Steelers? Does he give them a Super Bowl ceiling? Almost certainly not. For that reason, bringing in Rodgers over someone like Fields wouldn’t make a ton of sense.

NFL Trade proposal gives Steelers top 10 quarterback


NFC Divisional Playoffs: Los Angeles Rams v Philadelphia Eagles
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

The Steelers could land Matthew Stafford should this trade become reality

As soon as the clock hit zero in the divisional round playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Los Angeles Rams, rumors and speculation began to surround the Rams and the future of their quarterback, Matthew Stafford. The Super Bowl champion quarterback indicated he still has a lot of good football left in him, but there are implications that he may have played his final game as a Ram.

Stafford’s wife, Kelly, has hinted at a potential team change both on Instagram and on her podcast. She posted a blurry photo of herself and Matthew with the caption “Future might be blurry but the present is always clear with you.” The Rams also owe Stafford a roster bonus of $4 million if he is on the roster on the third day of the new league year. So if a trade does happen, it will very likely be March 12 or March 13.

CBS Sports proposed a trade that would see the Steelers and Rams swap first-round picks in 2025 while Pittsburgh would give the Rams a 2025 second-round pick and a conditional 2026 second-round pick in exchange for Stafford.

While he is 37 years old, Stafford is still a top 10 quarterback in the NFL – borderline top 10 at the absolute worst. He had the Rams within mere plays of an appearance in the NFC Championship Game, and very likely a Super Bowl appearance. He was eighth in success rate, 11th in QBR, and showed he still has the ability to make the big throws in the big moments. Should the Steelers be able to get him, it’s an avenue that should be explored, especially if they can get it done with this exact trade. They would still have a first-round pick and have the ability to add the pieces necessary to compete.

Justin Fields open to Steelers return under certain circumstances


NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Pittsburgh Steelers
Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Fields wants a real chance to start.

The Pittsburgh Steelers got tremendous production from Justin Fields in 2024. In six starts to begin the year, the former first-round pick of the Bears had 10 total touchdowns to just one interception and led Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record in that span.

Mike Tomlin, though, still benched Fields for Russell Wilson, which made many questioning what Tomlin was thinking. And while Wilson had a great span of games, the end of the season losing streak had some saying it was time to put Fields back in as Wilson struggled in the final month. Fields and Wilson are both set to be free agents next month. And while the Steelers could bring back the 25 year-old, they may only be able to do so under certain circumstances. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Fields would be open to remaining in Pittsburgh if there is a path for him to be the starter.

“Both sides, Fields and the Steelers, are certainly open to a potential reunion,” Fowler said on SportsCenter. “Fields wants a realistic shot to start. He wants a clear path to be the guy for a full season, which he was not last year.”

Fields is one of the options that makes the most sense for the Steelers. His age, combined with his talent and success last year, as well as the scheme fit under Arthur Smith make him a more sensible signing compared to someone like Aaron Rodgers or Wilson.