With Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow dealing with injuries and the Cleveland Browns bordering on obscurity, the Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North despite a subpar season from the defense and quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. In what many saw as a swansong, the veteran teamed up with head coach Mike Tomlin to return the franchise to its former glory.
However, it did not work out, as they were thoroughly dismantled in the playoffs by the Houston Texans. Now, Tomlin is already out, and there is legitimate doubt about what will happen next with the four-time MVP. But, according to one analyst, the pathway for the organization is replacing him with a young, emerging star.
Life After Aaron Rodgers for the Pittsburgh Steelers
A decade removed from their last postseason victory, the goings are getting tough for the Steelers. The desperation to acquire Rodgers even after his disastrous stint with the New York Jets made that crystal clear.
But in a year where he ranked 29th on PFSN’s NFL QB Impact and had pedestrian numbers, at least compared to his usual standards, the partnership did not amount to much. With Tomlin out, the hiring of Mike McCarthy has opened the door for a second year.
The two spent the initial phases of Rodgers’ career on the Green Bay Packers together, even winning a Super Bowl together, the lone championship of the iconic quarterback’s legendary career.
As a result, there is a greater than zero percent chance that he returns not only to the NFL but specifically to Pittsburgh. However, Mina Kimes of ESPN doesn’t think that is the right choice for the Steelers.
Speaking for ESPN, she explained her stance. “Pittsburgh, I feel like the timeline and the player just match up.” The player in question spent last season as the backup quarterback of the Packers and had some truly electric moments for the team.
“A team that was in the playoffs last year, a team that has drafted fairly well, a team that has some needs for sure. They need another receiver, another corner, but I feel like the existing offense really pairs nicely with Willis.”
With just 22 games played in his career, and an even fewer 6 starts to his name, he is a relative unknown. Career numbers of 10 total touchdowns against just three interceptions do not give a large insight into what the overall picture looks like.
But Kimes still has belief in him. “I am of the belief that, similar to Jalen Hurts, you ideally want him with a strong run game that he’s a part of. It creates one-on-one opportunities for a receiver outside, like DK Metcalf. It just makes sense. So if I’m Pittsburgh, I would really seriously take a look at him.”
The connection between McCarthy and Rodgers could put a damper on this idea. Or the Steelers, if they choose to embrace a full-blown rebuild, could go down the path of drafting a quarterback or running it with Will Howard under center for this season.
But if the plan is to remain competitive in the AFC North, then it is hard to find many options that could be significantly better than Willis.
