Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers was the franchise’s most significant offseason move, a move widely expected since the start of free agency but only finalized after the draft.
While expectations around the team have soared since the quarterback’s signing, one former NFL general manager doesn’t seem too excited about it and made a bold prediction regarding his performance in 2025.
Ex-NFL Executive Drops Bombshell About Aaron Rodgers’ Future in Pittsburgh
Over the past few years, the Steelers’ storyline has remained the same each season. The six-time Super Bowl champions have lost relevance within their division, being surpassed by the rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North. The biggest reason for that decline has been the quality of their quarterbacks.
Since Ben Roethlisberger retired, the Steelers haven’t found a quarterback to lead them long-term. In 2025, the solution was once again short-term, with the team betting on Rodgers, who will play his final season in the NFL. This inevitably puts Pittsburgh back in the market for a new starter in 2026.
Since this game in 2020, the Steelers record, including playoffs, is 39-38-1.
It’s 2025 and we still haven’t replaced Ben.
The standard is the standard. pic.twitter.com/CGdSaLdOeE
— Obviously (Not) Tomlin (@Tomlin_Sense) May 26, 2025
However, that answer might already be inside the franchise with Will Howard, the quarterback selected in the sixth round of this year’s draft. Former general manager Mike Tannenbaum said on ESPN’s “Get Up” that Howard will take over as the starter by early December, putting Rodgers on the bench in his final year in the league.
“Will Howard led Ohio State to the national championship, 89 QBR, 35 touchdown passes. And if he was a little bit better in the offseason before the draft, he could have been a third or a fourth-round pick,” Tannenbaum said. “Aaron Rodgers is an all-time great, but he will be 42 in December. Last year, Pittsburgh gave up sacks at the 28th-highest rate, meaning they were not very good protecting the passer.”
The prediction comes as Rodgers has been openly receptive to the idea of helping out Howard this year, showing he knows the rookie will have a solid chance to start next year when he will no longer be with the team. But for Tannenbaum, Howard’s shot could happen sooner.
“I wanna help Will Howard as much as possible..
If I can help him become a better player that would be an incredible achievement..
He’s such a good kid and I’m really looking forward to helping him out this season”
🎥: @PatMcAfeeShow #NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/qR6FBYIVqP
— The Standard (@TheStandard412) June 24, 2025
Steelers Face Offensive Line Concerns with Aging Quarterback
The former general manager believes Rodgers won’t be able to keep up with the season’s pace behind an offensive line that is not projected to be among the NFL’s best. The unit ranks 25th in PFSN’s OL+ metric, and last year, when Rodgers didn’t have time to throw, his playing was far from impressive.
This concern becomes more significant when considering Rodgers’ age and the physical demands of playing behind a struggling offensive line. At 42 years old by December, Rodgers would be among the oldest starting quarterbacks in NFL history to play a full season. The combination of age and poor pass protection creates a challenging situation for any quarterback, even with Rodgers’ experience and talent.
Meanwhile, Howard had a strong season at Ohio State, leading the school to its first national title since 2014. The rookie quarterback threw 35 touchdown passes during his final college season, demonstrating the arm strength and decision-making that caught the attention of NFL scouts. Even as a sixth-round pick, after three months of getting used to the NFL’s pace, the team could choose to move forward with the younger quarterback if Rodgers doesn’t deliver solid results.
The Steelers’ offensive struggles in recent years have been well-documented. Since Roethlisberger’s retirement, the team has cycled through multiple quarterbacks without finding a consistent solution. The addition of Rodgers represents a significant investment in trying to return to playoff contention, but the supporting cast around him remains a question mark.
Still, the team’s moves suggest they are confident that, along with the free agents and other additions, they will help turn the team into a true Super Bowl contender, putting the past playoff struggles behind them. The franchise’s commitment to winning now versus building for the future will be tested throughout the 2025 season, with Howard waiting in the wings as a potential long-term solution.