So, is Aaron Rodgers sticking around after all? The last two seasons haven’t gone anywhere near as planned for Rodgers and the New York Jets. After promising Super Bowls to the franchise and the fan base, New York missed the playoffs both years. Somehow, they performed worse with Rodgers in 2024 than without him in 2023, when he tore his Achilles in Week 1.
But a mediocre season hasn’t ended Rodgers’ aspirations of continuing in the NFL. With several teams in need of a quarterback, the four-time MVP might just find a new home. And as it turns out, a new AFC team may be ready to take a chance on him.
Aaron Rodgers Staying in the AFC With the Pittsburgh Steelers?
A promising start to the season unraveled for the Pittsburgh Steelers last year. Justin Fields and Russell Wilson started strong, but a five-game losing streak derailed the season, leading to a Divisional Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
With head coach Mike Tomlin not having a playoff win since 2016, change was inevitable. And some speculated that it might come in the form of a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac reported in a since-deleted post on X that Pittsburgh and Rodgers were in advanced talks and nearing a deal.
“The Steelers are getting close to a deal with four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers, per multiple sources. They decided to enter discussions with Rodgers and Sam Darnold when it became apparent Justin Fields wanted to test his value in the free agent market,” Dulac had said.
However, multiple reports from Pittsburgh insiders contradicted this claim, stating that the Steelers have no interest in Rodgers.
The former Green Bay Packers QB is coming off a down year, throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns. Rodgers’ trademark efficiency declined, with 11 interceptions and a 63% completion rate. Most importantly, his numbers didn’t translate to wins.
The Jets finished 5-12, and Rodgers ranked 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric. However, the weak FA quarterback market and a shallow 2025 draft class still placed Rodgers 52nd on PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agents.
Ben Rolfe of PFSN wrote, “In 2020, Aaron Rodgers produced the third-best season in our QB+ database, but those days are in the rearview. The former MVP has sandwiched the lost season of 2023 with consecutive QB21 finishes per QB+, and that is about where the expectations should be right now as he enters his age-41 season.”
Rolfe further suggested that Rodgers is no longer capable of elevating a team but instead needs a strong supporting cast. “He used to be a talent elevator and now likely needs to be elevated by the talent around him.”
In Pittsburgh, Rodgers would have a Hall of Fame-caliber coach in Tomlin and a strong defense. The offensive weapons remain a question, though the addition of DK Metcalf could provide a solid pairing with Garrett Wilson. Despite Najee Harris’ exit, heading to the West Coast to join the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers could have the pieces for success. Rodgers could steady the ship, allowing Pittsburgh to contend.
“Rodgers had 130 pressured attempts last year, and not a single one of them was intercepted. He profiles as a steadying force for a team that is otherwise set to make a run,” Rolfe added.
So, could this be the move that finally pushes Pittsburgh over the hump since Ben Roethlisberger’s departure? Or is Rodgers’ future somewhere else entirely?
Is a Rodgers-Steelers Union Being Held Up by the Giants?
Despite Dulac deleting his original post on X, he later followed up by saying that the “Steelers [are] in discussions with Aaron Rodgers but deal is not imminent, per sources.”
This supposed mutual interest between Rodgers and Pittsburgh was later corroborated by a report from Connor Hughes of SNY in a throwaway comment as part of a Russell Wilson report posted on X.
“Aaron Rodgers is the quarterback the Giants want. They’re waiting to find out if he wants them. Most league sources I touch base with believe Rodgers is headed to Steelers, which would lead the Giants to Russell Wilson,” Hughes said. “The problem: The Titans, and others, are interested in Wilson, too.”
The Steelers, who lost out on Justin Fields after the young quarterback passed on Pittsburgh to start anew with the New York Jets, are suddenly out on most of the quarterback market, with Wilson and Rodgers considered the best options still available.
Rodgers could have his pick between Pittsburgh and Big Blue, and the rest of the QB dominoes may fall after that is decided.
Most Steelers fans are hoping Rodger’s does not end up in Pittsburgh. Will we regret letting Sam Darnold go to Seattle?
Aaron Rodgers isnt going to the Steelers this article is a fake one He’s going to the NY Giants definitely so I wish these reporters would stop saying these false accusations he’s not going to Steelers Not the Vikings Not any othér team only the NY Giants so let it go
Honestly I don’t really care where Rodgers ends up. Just happy he’s not coming anywhere near New England. We should be all set with Drake Maye at Center. Just need to get him some receivers. The past couple of yrs have been tough to watch. But now we have a coaching staff in place that understands the teams needs. The moves they made yesterday are impressive and give me great hope the Pats are headed in the right direction. They still have a lot of work to do. But I’m confident Mike Vrable took this job with a mission already planned out. He’s brought so much help with him. Coaches that are well respected. Which is helping bring veteran players to New England. It’s contagious word gets out. Players talk. Make the decision to bring there talent here. Well aware Pats are in a rebuilding mode and want to be part of it. I am so excited to see the progress this team has made come August. When things are a lot more organized. Let’s get back to our winning ways. Gain some respect again. GO PATS. 2025- 2026 And so on and so on.