PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Don't even think about it.
With the Jets reportedly splitting from quarterback Aaron Rodgers after two seasons and five wins (per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport), here come the dots being connected because Rodgers and Mike Tomlin shared a loving glance during a game in Green Bay four years ago.
Rodgers played a near-perfect game when he beat Tomlin and the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. He was 27-years-old then. He will turn 42 during the 2025 season.
Steelers president Art Rooney said youth was going to be a big part of their decision as to their next quarterback. Could they be tempted by Rodgers past? The thought they could find a different, older, bridge quarterback to get them back to the postseason is concerning.
If your goal is to sneak back into the playoffs with the outside shot of winning a playoff game, sign Rodgers. Is that the Steelers standard?
If that standard is to win a championship, Rodgers isn't going to do that. Rodgers was going to be the quarterback to get the Jets over the hump. Remember two years ago New York was 'a quarterback away'. Granted, he suffered the Achilles injury in Week 1 of 2023, but it turned into five wins. While the injury is a bad break, injuries are more frequent and severe the older you get.
Tom Brady is the exception of a 40-something who could win a Super Bowl. Payton Manning was 39 when he won with Denver, but he was a game manager by that time. The Steelers need more. They need someone they can build around or at least a younger quarterback they could take a chance on.
The thought of another stop-gap quarterback past his prime makes no sense with this franchise at this time. If the Steelers think they are Aaron Rodgers away from a Super Bowl, maybe they lack the ability to self-evaluate.
You think super-positive Russell Wilson had issues with the Steelers play-calling, what is Rodgers going to think about a coaching staff that plays more not to lose than win. Rodgers Is the master at not just being passive aggressive, but aggressive. He's ok with using his connections to get his point across inside or outside the locker room.
This is not to say Rodgers sucked in 2024. He had a few good games:
· 27-35, 281 yards, 2 TD, no INT in 24-3 win over NE
· 22-32, 211 yards, 3 TD, no INT in 21-13 win over Houston
· 16-30, 289 yards, 3 TD, no INT in 32-25 win at Jacksonville
· 22-36, 274 yards, 4 TD, INT in 23-36 win over Miami
But overall, Rodgers won five games, completing 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 TD and 11 INT. He rushed for 107 yards on 22 carries and no scores. He was ranked the 18th best quarterback by Pro Football Focus, that was behind Russell Wilson at 15. Rodgers had better receivers with the Jets than he would have with the Steelers
· Garrett Wilson 101, 1104y, 7 TD
· Davante Adams 11 games 67, 854y, 7 TD
· Allen Lazard 10 games, 60, 530y, 6 TD
Can Rodgers still play at times? Yes.
If they select Rodgers are they fooling themselves about being contenders and kicking the can further down the road?
Steelers don't need a bridge, they need a foundation.
