The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of just a few teams remaining that seemingly hasn’t found a starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
Additionally, Aaron Rodgers is the last quality free agent option standing, so many have naturally connected the two together. Rodgers recently went on a visit with the Steelers, but apparently neither side is in a rush to get a deal done.
Star edge-rusher Maxx Crosby recently revealed on The Rush Podcast that he believes Rodgers will retire rather than sign with the Steelers.
“I’ve been saying it,” Crosby said. “The fact that he’s not with Davante [Adams], and that he’s not not very familiar with Pittsburgh. I don’t know. I feel like he retires. He’s about 42 now.”
It certainly wouldn’t be surprising to see Rodgers retire. As Crosby mentioned, the passer will turn 42 during the 2025 season and isn’t too far removed from a serious injury.
If the Steelers decide not to offer Rodgers, it’s hard to identify an obvious landing spot. However, Noah Strackbein of Sports Illustrated identified the Minnesota Vikings as a potential option.
Regarding Rodgers possibly pivoting to the Vikings, Strackbein offered the following:
There’s also the thought that Rodgers might wait it out for Minnesota. The Vikings are moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback, but the 41-year-old could view it as an opportunity to wait for McCarthy to either prove himself or prove he needs another year of development. If it’s the latter, Minnesota sounds like Rodgers would be their call.
The Vikings make sense on paper. Rodgers is extremely familiar with the NFC North after spending 18 years with the Green Bay Packers.
Rodgers may also welcome playing indoors at his age. The Vikings also managed to win 14 games in 2024 with Sam Darnold at quarterback, so it’s not hard to imagine the team replicating that success with Rodgers.
In 2024, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. The veteran certainly didn’t have his best season, but still proved to be more than capable of putting up respectable numbers.
The Steelers and Vikings appear to be the only teams seriously in the running for Rodgers. Of course, injuries could eventually expand Rodgers’ market as the offseason goes on.
Meanwhile, Crosby’s team found a new quarterback of their own. Geno Smith was added in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, reuniting the veteran with his former head coach Pete Carroll.
