PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The thought of Aaron Rodgers becoming the Steelers quarterback gets phone lines ringing, Twitter responses and web site clicks. Let's be real here, the Steelers aren't Aaron Rodgers away from winning a Super Bowl.
Let's assume Rodgers does really want to come here. That's he's not just lying to a Plum native or that he's not just trying to put pressure on the Packers or another interested team.
The cost for Rodgers is likely a first and second round pick, maybe more-it could be three first round picks. It could also a current player off your roster. Let's just be an optimist that the Packers are in such a pinch, they only ask for a first and second round selection.
In the first two rounds of this year's draft, here are the Steelers needs. I'll take quarterback off the list because you would add him.
Offensive Tackle
Offensive Guard
Center
Defensive lineman
Inside linebacker
Safety
Corner
The trade for Rodgers leaves you with three draft picks to improve your team. Steelers likely will get a compensatory pick, but for now, they have a third, fourth and seventh rounder. The other two (fourth and fifth round) were already traded away.
Those positions mentioned as draft needs aren't players who would fill depth roles, those are for starting jobs.
An argument for acquiring Rodgers is you add him and fill needs in free agency. I mean players will flock to Pittsburgh to play for cheap for a chance to play with Rodgers.
Under GM Kevin Colbert, the Steelers have never had this much salary cap room heading into a new season. According to spotrac.com they are 12th in the league with $29.5 million available.
$26.4 of that would go to Rodgers.
That's assuming Rodgers would work for that number. Let's also assume Rodgers has an ego, he's going to want to be paid at least in the top five. According to overthecap.com, that would mean paying him over $38.6 million in 2022.
I remind you the cap space is $29.5 million. If you get creative and release a couple of players and rework a couple of contracts. You're just breaking even and haven't addressed any of the needs.
The Steelers offense has a number of talented young players. Najee Harris broke the team's rookie rushing record and is a legit pass-catching threat. No doubt tight end Pat Freiermuth has talent. Receiver Diontae Johnson is a Pro Bowler and WR Chase Claypool shows glimpses of being All-Pro.
You don't have any other notable receivers on the roster, even Ray-Ray McCloud is a free agent. You're second tight end has 13 career catches and your back-up tailback is Benny Snell.
Oh, and you're playing with the same offensive line that struggled mightily at times last year and maybe the most consistent member of that line, Trai Turner, is a free agent.
But none of that matters because Rodgers is a Hall of Famer. He's the league MVP and is a massive upgrade from Mason Rudolph or Dwayne Haskins. Rodgers carry the team, even if he's spending a lot of time on his back.
He would be coming to a nine-win team, no matter they are potentially losing at least four starters to free agency, Rodgers will make them better. They will get in the post-season and Rodgers will make them shine because he won a Super Bowl, back when Barack Obama was a first-term president.
The 38-year-old, turning 39 in December, has lost four of his last six playoff games. The last two losses at home.
That's ok, because the Steelers have a Super Bowl-ready defense.
They are tops in the NFL in sacking the quarterback. TJ Watt would start and star for every team in the league, he's a legit Defensive Player of the Year. Cam Heyward is an incredible leader and the 32-year-old is coming off an amazing season. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick has the ability to make plays, although he had only two interceptions and one forced fumble in 2022.
Beyond that, what is the Steelers defense? They were ninth in the NFL in completion percentage allowed and eighth in passing touchdowns allowed. That's actually pretty good.
The rush defense isn't. Dead last in the NFL in stopping the run, the only team in the entire league to allow a FIVE-yards-a-carry average. That is not Super Bowl-ready. What about Devin Bush? Is Joe Schobert back, if not where is the money to replace him? Fitzpatrick says he's good because of the bond with Terrell Edmunds, who is a free agent. Corners Joe Haden and Ahkello Witherspoon are free agents. Stephon Tuitt may play, may not.
It sounds great that Aaron Rodgers lifts a Lombardi Trophy in black and gold. Think about it, with their lack of depth, questions on defense, bigger questions on the offensive line. Not to mention they play in the better NFL conference.
Does a Rodgers trade really help the Steelers? Or would it be a desperate attempt to hang onto something that is no longer there? A move that would push back the return to a Super Bowl championship even farther.
