PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A former NFL head coach himself and someone who coached on the South Side believes the Steelers are all-in and it won’t be as much up to Aaron Rodgers, rather those around him.
Former Dolphins, Bears and Pitt Panthers head coach Dave Wannstedt told the Fan Morning Show Wednesday he thought if the Steelers did not sign Rodgers and went with Mason Rudolph, there was a chance they would have traded TJ Watt for a couple of first-round pick and build for the future.
Now with the signing of the future Hall of Famer, he believes the Steelers are playing to win it all this year. Because of that, he says they probably will get a deal done with Watt.
As for what the Steelers can do with Rodgers now at quarterback. Wannstedt says there is still a good quarterback in that 41-year-old body.
“The biggest question I have with Aaron is not with Aaron, he had a good year last year,” Wannsted told The Fan Morning Show. “Do the Steelers have the supporting cast to give him the best chance?”
“When you look at that Jets team, they had a very good defense, a good back and the Jets had some firepower to help Aaron. I just hope the Steelers, the guys they have at the skilled positions, running backs and receivers, that group can give him the best chance to be successful.”
“He will need some help. He’s not the Aaron Rodgers of old, there is no question about that.”
Aside from the supporting cast which currently includes two running backs, who have never been featured players on one-year contracts and a third-round pick at tailback. The receivers include a Pro Bowler in DK Metcalf but nothing consistent beyond that and a potential Pro Bowl tight end who has yet to have a big year. There are questions, but even if they make no moves to change the roster, Wannstedt said there is a way to still make this offense much better.
“The quickest way to help the quarterback is to run the football,” Wannstedt told Adam Crowley, Dorin Dickerson and Doug Whaley. “I mean RUN the football and become a top 10 rushing team in the NFL.”
“Can the Steelers do that with their offensive line and their backs? Is Arthur Smith committed to that? That’s the starting point. You aren’t going to invent wide receivers.”
“To rush the ball with a quarterback like Aaron is a must. It’s a must. Give them a chance to slow down the pass rush and to set up some play-action passes. Which he does a great job of.”
“It can’t be lip service.”
“I hope he has a good year. The supporting cast will be key to his success.”