Aaron Rodgers gave Pittsburgh Steelers fans some hope at the quarterback position when he inked a one-year deal with the team. However, AFC North division rival Myles Garrett didn’t mince words when asked about Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh.
Myles Garrett Doesn’t Hold Back in His Message to Aaron Rodgers
“I think it’s a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard,” Garrett said when talking to reporters about the new member of his division.
Garrett made a bold statement, but he and the Browns could have their work cut out for them in 2025. Entering this season at 30 years old, Garrett has been one of the league’s top pass rushers since he entered the NFL, racking up 102.5 sacks and 200 quarterback hits in his eight-year NFL career.
The former Defensive Player of the Year is still at the top of his game, making his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl in 2024 after recording 47 tackles (40 solo, seven assists), 14 sacks, 22 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery.
However, despite his continued dominance, question marks remain for a team that finished fourth in the AFC North in 2024 with a 3-14 record, particularly at the quarterback position.
Myles Garrett on Aaron Rodgers joining the AFC North: “I think it’s a good opportunity to put him in the graveyard.” pic.twitter.com/BWzBQmdIZz
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) June 10, 2025
The Browns have Joe Flacco, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, and former Steeler, Kenny Pickett, on their roster—all competing for the starting job.
Cleveland traded for Pickett in a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. If he wins the starting job, his first start against his former team will add another storyline to an already enticing matchup between two heated division rivals.
Rodgers joins Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson as the quarterbacks Garrett will try to bring down in the AFC North in 2025. Jackson and Rodgers have both won MVPs, and Burrow has made two Pro Bowls and led his team to a Super Bowl appearance. The trio are all household names and could make the Browns’ path to success difficult in 2025.
How Rodgers’ Signing Impacts the Steelers
Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers, with incentives that could reach up to $19.5 million. The deal gave the Steelers a veteran signal-caller to replace Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who had left the team for free agency.
The four-time NFL MVP quarterback is coming off a down season in his first year removed from a torn Achilles. He and the Jets went 5-12 in 2024, as he completed 63.0% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
ESPN sources: Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers was in the team’s training facility today to sign his one-year, $13.65 million contract that includes $10 million guaranteed and has a maximum value of $19.5 million. The deal includes $5.85 million worth of playtime and team performance… pic.twitter.com/a9DygTvufb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 7, 2025
Rodgers ranked 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric in 2024, with a 72.2 (C-) grade.
He joins a Steelers offense that ranked No. 25 in PFSN’s Offense+ Metric, with a 67.5 (D+) grade. He will play under Arthur Smith, the same offensive coordinator the team had last season; however, the personnel will look much different.
In addition to Rodgers, the team added wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, running back Kaleb Johnson, and receivers Kenny Gainwell and Robert Woods in the offseason. Pittsburgh will also get back 2024 first-round draft pick, offensive tackle Troy Fautanu, after he missed his entire rookie season with a dislocated kneecap.
The team also lost several key pieces from 2024 on the offensive side of the ball, including George Pickens, Dan Moore, Najee Harris, Van Jefferson, Fields, and Wilson.
With a revamped offensive personnel group, Pittsburgh will look to secure that elusive playoff victory they have not secured since the Divisional Round of the 2016 NFL Playoffs.
Where the Steelers and Browns stack up in one of the NFL’s most challenging divisions remains to be seen. Their matchups will be noteworthy as all eyes will be on the matchup between the four-time NFL MVP and the former Defensive Player of the Year.
