It finally happened. After months of rumors, discussions, and drama, the Pittsburgh Steelers are set to bring in Aaron Rodgers as the quarterback for the 2025 season.
While the final contract number is unclear, Ian Rapoport suggests it will be in the $10 million range for one year.
Nonetheless, Rodgers teams up with head coach Mike Tomlin and an offense that now features DK Metcalf as the team’s WR1.
Several experts have weighed in on the Rodgers signing, and the grades have been somewhat good so far. ESPN’s Seth Walder was among them, and he gave the Rodgers signing a B, although he didn’t sound incredibly confident of the fit.
“I can’t believe we’re back here, watching another NFL franchise desperate for an answer at quarterback kowtow to a 41-year-old who hasn’t played good ball since 2021. Twelve months from now we will look up and most likely be talking about the Steelers’ lost season with Rodgers that ended in disappointment. But … I also think this is the rational choice for the Steelers,” Walder wrote.
With the rumored $10 million contract number, Walder also calls this a relative bargain of a signing, and if the veteran plays well, it could be a good one.
“Looking ahead, if Rodgers hits his, say, 85th percentile outcome, then the Steelers could go on a deep playoff run. If Wilson had landed in Pittsburgh and hit his own 85th percentile outcome, I don’t think we could say the same thing. And if Rodgers were to hit his 85th percentile outcome with the Giants, they would still be a lacking football team. This is why the Rodgers-Steelers marriage makes uncomfortable sense,” Walder continued.
Sure, all that sounds good. However, Walder concluded with a strong statement: “Don’t get me wrong: If I were the Steelers, I would not feel good about going down this path. But I also look at 30-year-old Watt and think that if they’re going to take a swing while he’s still there, there isn’t a better alternative.”
So, it’s a low-cost, potentially high-reward signing for the Steelers. It’s also one they needed to make with three uncertain quarterbacks on the roster before adding Rodgers. Still, it’s surprising to see the Steelers be given a B grade, especially since the former Packers and Jets QB has not played that well the past few years and has battled injuries.
On the other hand, with TJ Watt nearing the end of his prime, it’s also one they needed to take a flier on. The question is, which Rodgers will Pittsburgh get?
MORE NFL NEWS
