Aaron Rodgers is officially heading to Pittsburgh, but not everyone is convinced it’s the right move. One Cowboys analyst believes the veteran quarterback could do more harm than good.
And his warning is gaining traction.
Why Aaron Rodgers Could Hurt the Steelers More Than Help
Rodgers agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers on Thursday and is expected to join the team at minicamp beginning June 10. The 41-year-old is coming off a turbulent run in New York, including a devastating Achilles tear in 2023 and a disappointing 5-12 finish in 2024 that ended with the firing of both head coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas.
Still, Pittsburgh saw Rodgers as its best shot at fixing a quarterback room that had seen Russell Wilson and Justin Fields exit. Other options included sixth-round rookie Will Howard, Mason Rudolph, and Skylar Thompson.
But Cowboys analyst Marcus Mosher warned that the future Hall of Famer could “end up really hurting Pittsburgh’s run game compared to Fields/Wilson.” On X, he explained: “He doesn’t want to play under center anymore and he isn’t a threat on bootlegs anymore. The run game will be much easier to defend.”
I think Aaron Rodgers could end up really hurting Pittsburgh’s run game compared to Fields/Wilson.
He doesn’t want to play under center anymore and he isn’t a threat on bootlegs anymore. The run game will be much easier to defend. https://t.co/KKo85GVy2G
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) June 6, 2025
Mosher also questioned head coach Mike Tomlin’s logic behind signing Rodgers: “The Aaron Rodgers signing could be Mike Tomlin’s biggest gamble. I’m not sure why Tomlin thinks the move is worth it at this stage of his career.”
Does the Risk Outweigh the Reward?
Rodgers’ raw stats from 2024 (3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) still suggest he can command an offense. Over his final 10 games, he completed 64% of his throws and looked closer to the MVP form fans had seen as recently as 2021.
But there’s no denying the drop in mobility and play-action effectiveness, especially after the Achilles injury. Rodgers is no longer the dual-threat quarterback he once was, and Mosher’s concerns about his fit in Pittsburgh’s offense, particularly in the run game, reflect a real schematic dilemma.
The Steelers will host Rodgers’ old team, the Green Bay Packers, on Oct. 26 in prime time and open their season on the road against the New York Jets on Sept. 7. Those games will be early tests not only for Rodgers but also for Tomlin’s decision-making.
In 20 seasons, Rodgers has racked up 62,952 passing yards, 503 touchdowns, and four NFL MVPs. But his arrival could come at a steep cost if Pittsburgh adjusts its offense to protect the run game and limit the burden on Rodgers’ legs.
The margin for error is razor thin for a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. Tomlin may be betting big, but Mosher said this might be his biggest gamble yet.