The Pittsburgh Steelers have made a high-stakes gamble on Aaron Rodgers as he embarks on what he calls his final run in 2025.
But while fans celebrated the signing of a Super Bowl winner, one former NFL scout has raised serious concerns about what might derail the season before it begins.
John Middlekauff: Aaron Rodgers Still Elite, but Can He Play All 17?
On his “3 and Out” podcast, former NFL scout John Middlekauff painted a clear picture.
“Maybe he doesn’t throw the ball as well as when he was 30,” Middlekauff said. “But his arm strength, relative to the rest of the NFL, is still more than capable, probably still top six or seven in the league.”
“So to me, it’s like, can he stay healthy for 17 games? Because if you told me right now that Aaron Rodgers starts all 17 games, I’d say, ‘Yeah, I could see them being pretty good,’” Middlekauff added.
Middlekauff neither dismissed Rodgers nor glorified him. Instead, he positioned Rodgers’ health as pivotal to any hope Pittsburgh has of regaining postseason relevance.
Can the Steelers Protect Rodgers and Maximize His Final Act?
Earlier in June, Rodgers agreed to a one-year, $13.65 million deal with Pittsburgh. The contract reportedly includes $10 million, fully guaranteed, with incentives that raise the maximum to $19.5 million. The agreement caps a turbulent offseason marked by questions over whether this truly is Rodgers’ last act.
Rodgers’ past two seasons with the New York Jets amplified those concerns.
In 2023, he tore his Achilles in Week 1 and missed the remainder of the season. He returned in 2024 but delivered an inconsistent performance, throwing 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as the Jets finished with a 5-12 record. He was released in March, paving the way for his move to Pittsburgh.
At 42, Rodgers will be the oldest starting quarterback in the NFL next season.
Pittsburgh’s coaching staff has publicly backed Rodgers, but some former players are skeptical. Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw called the signing “a joke,” questioning why the team would invest in a short-term fix instead of grooming a young quarterback.
Still, Rodgers, in full health, could be as valuable as any veteran bridge quarterback available. If he leads Pittsburgh to wins and helps mentor the next wave of signal-callers, many will call the move brilliant.
As training camp approaches, speculation will intensify about how the Steelers plan to limit Rodgers’ wear and tear. Will they adopt more rollouts or fewer shotguns? How much will they dial back high-volume passing to preserve health?
The Steelers will need to find the right balance between using Rodgers’ skills and protecting his health. Their chances for success in 2025 depend on keeping their veteran quarterback strong and on the field for all 17 games.