Stephen A. Smith Offers Fiery Take On Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers’ 2025 Outlook Compared to Kevin Durant

Stephen A. Smith of ESPN’s “First Take” made a daring statement about two of the biggest names in sports, Aaron Rodgers and Kevin Durant. Rodgers, who will play for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Durant, who recently was traded to the Houston Rockets, will both start their new seasons with new teams.

A lot of people will be depending on them to deliver. According to Smith, though, only one of them is truly facing a “now-or-never” moment.

Aaron Rodgers, Kevin Durant Enter New Chapters

Change is nothing new to Durat. He was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Rockets in a blockbuster trade that sent Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks, the No. 10 pick, and five second-round picks to the Suns.

Durant’s legacy is well established at this stage of his career. He is regarded as one of the most talented scorers the game has ever seen, a two-time NBA champion, and a former MVP. His position in basketball history seems assured, even if his time in Houston doesn’t result in a championship.

Rodgers’ story, however, is still being written, and 2025 might be the final chapter. Rodgers, in a Tuesday, June 24, appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show,” made it apparent that this coming season will be his final one. He agreed to a one-year contract with the Steelers this offseason.

Rodgers, 41, is returning to compete and prove something following a sad conclusion to his tenure with the New York Jets, which featured an Achilles injury that ended his season only four snaps into his Jets’ debut in 2023.

Smith didn’t hold back on assessing the pressure Rodgers is facing, stating, “I would tell you, honestly speaking, that Rodgers has more to lose because this is it. If this doesn’t work out for Rodgers, his career is over.”

.@stephenasmith believes Aaron Rodgers has more at stake with his new team than Kevin Durant.

“If this doesn’t work out for Rodgers, his career is over.” pic.twitter.com/wVIHpIsFHb

— First Take (@FirstTake) June 24, 2025

Smith wasn’t kidding. He mentioned how fans were left with more questions than answers throughout Rodgers’ tenure with the Jets. Even though Rodgers has already won four MVP awards and a Super Bowl, his stellar NFL career has been marred by the way it ended in Green Bay and how it never really started in New York.

Rodgers’ Final Season Coming in 2025

Now in Pittsburgh, Rodgers has one final chance to put an end to the skeptics and leave on his own terms. That, according to Smith, is precisely what makes his predicament more pressing than Durant’s.

The conclusion of Rodgers’ career is clear. Unless he surprises everyone and decides to alter his mind if the Steelers find success, there won’t be another season for Rodgers.

Smith’s perspective revolves around one concept: Legacy. In addition to doing well, Rodgers wants to be recognized, respected, and fulfilled when he leaves the game. The stakes are bigger than ever because it’s a new team, a new beginning, and his final season.