The long, drawn-out saga of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offseason pursuit of Aaron Rodgers is finally over, with the quarterback set to join the team in time for mandatory minicamp. The two sides had long been expected to reach an agreement, despite Rodgers’ evasive approach to the situation.
Speaking during an episode of “Get Up” on ESPN, senior NFL insider Adam Schefter broke down why Rodgers ultimately chose Pittsburgh.
Adam Schefter Breaks Down Why Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh Steelers Need Each Other
The Steelers have a roster built to compete for a Super Bowl, with several veteran players running out of time to win a ring. That made Rodgers the ideal candidate for Pittsburgh this offseason after the team decided to move on from Russell Wilson.
Schefter said Rodgers’ respect for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin played a major role in his decision to sign with Pittsburgh. Schefter revealed:
“One of the reasons that he chose Pittsburgh is because of Mike Tomlin. Mike Tomlin was willing to be patient in this particular case. Aaron Rodgers has a huge degree of respect for Mike Tomlin, and the truth of the matter is, the two sides need each other.”
The Steelers have been remarkably consistent in recent years, reaching the playoffs in four of the last five seasons. However, they haven’t won a postseason game since January 2017. Fairly or not, Rodgers’ success in Pittsburgh will be judged by what he does in the playoffs—if the team gets there.
Rodgers’ Arrival Met With Mixed Reactions in Pittsburgh
While Rodgers is undoubtedly a major upgrade for the Steelers’ offense, he hasn’t exactly won over every fan. Many in Pittsburgh were frustrated with how long the quarterback took to make a decision, feeling the delay disrespected the organization.
Some fans have gone further, arguing Rodgers just isn’t that good anymore. He’s now 41 years old and suffered a season-ending Achilles injury two years ago. He’s also gained a reputation as a negative influence within locker rooms, with some speculating he played a part in the New York Jets’ decision to fire head coach Robert Saleh in 2024.
Reacting to the Steelers’ hype video announcing Rodgers’ arrival, one X user didn’t hold back, calling him a “terminal cancer.”
I’ve seen this story before, enjoy your losing season Steelers as Rodger’s is a terminal cancer.
— Alex (@Brazil201) June 6, 2025
Still, there’s a growing sense of excitement about what Rodgers can bring to Pittsburgh. He played well for the Jets last season and has already been spotted working out with new Steelers receiver DK Metcalf this offseason. Things might go sideways, but there’s also a chance Rodgers is the missing piece that sparks a long-overdue Super Bowl run in Pittsburgh.
