The Steelers have finally landed Aaron Rodgers after a prolonged period of stalled negotiations. Rodgers has signed a one-year deal with Pittsburgh, and it’s widely expected that this season will be his last in the NFL. The future Hall of Famer is preparing for one final championship run and is reportedly in peak physical condition.
“I can say here — and I think I’m 100 percent right — [Rodgers] is in the best shape and changed his body a little bit to fit who he really is,” said Super Bowl champion Phil Simms on his podcast.
Despite the excitement, not everyone is on board with the signing. ESPN analyst Ryan Clark believes the Steelers may have made a major mistake by bringing in the veteran, arguing that it could cost them a chance at a top quarterback in the 2025 draft.
“Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers is the worst-case scenario. I think he’ll play good enough, & the team will be just good enough to miss out on a franchise guy next year! One of the greatest players of the era, & one of its greatest head coaches… just years too late,” Clark said.
Former Steelers linebacker James Harrison even predicted that Rodgers might not make it through the entire season.
“If [the Steelers] start losing and it’s looking like they ain’t gonna make above .500, I think it gets real ugly, real fast,” Harrison said. “To the point where they may just be like, ‘You know what, let’s let this dude go midseason. For Aaron, let’s just get him outta here and put one of these other quarterbacks in.’ Mike [Tomlin] ain’t going nowhere.”
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If Rodgers is cut, the likely successor would be recently drafted quarterback Will Howard. The rookie has been learning a great deal under Rodgers, who has taken him under his wing. Should Howard step in, he could be well-positioned for a strong finish to the season after learning from one of the game’s all-time greats.
