Aaron Rodgers’ future remains up in the air, but if he lands with the Pittsburgh Steelers, not everyone believes it’ll be the fairytale ending he might be hoping for. NFL analyst Colin Cowherd doesn’t see a Super Bowl run in Rodgers’ future — he sees a bridge role instead.
Cowherd argues the Steelers are already planning for their next franchise quarterback. According to reports, Pittsburgh is eyeing Alabama’s Jalen Milroe with the No. 21 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Milroe, one of the most athletically gifted QBs in the 2025 class, has drawn comparisons to Lamar Jackson and Anthony Richardson due to his speed, arm strength, and playmaking ability.
Pittsburgh Steelers Looking for Game-Changer at Quarterback
Like many AFC teams, Pittsburgh finds itself in a conference loaded with star quarterbacks — Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and more. Cowherd believes the Steelers know they need a dynamic playmaker to keep pace, and at age 41, Rodgers may not be that guy anymore.
“If Aaron signs with Pittsburgh, it’s gonna become Kirk Cousins,” Cowherd said on a recent episode of “The Herd.”
He compares Rodgers’ potential role in Pittsburgh to Kirk Cousins’ recent career arc. Now with the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins was viewed as a solid but limited quarterback — good enough to start but not enough to elevate a roster. Cowherd sees Rodgers heading down a similar path: a respected vet used to hold the position while the team grooms its next quarterback.
With Russell Wilson signing with the New York Giants and other teams locking in younger options, Rodgers’ market could shrink quickly. If he signs with Pittsburgh, he’ll need to show he’s still elite — or he may wind up as just a stopgap, not the savior.
Colin Cowherd: Rodgers’ Reality Is ‘Stopgap’
Rodgers, a four-time MVP and Super Bowl XLV champion, is widely considered one of the most efficient quarterbacks of all time. But his 2023 season with the New York Jets ended just minutes into Week 1 after a torn Achilles, sparking concerns about his health and long-term outlook.
Now that the Steelers are rumored to be interested, Cowherd doesn’t see Rodgers as the long-term fix.
.@ColinCowherd explains how Aaron Rodgers could become Kirk Cousins 2.0 if he signs in Pittsburgh pic.twitter.com/YcLjYDdloD
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) March 29, 2025
“They just don’t stack up,” Cowherd said of Rodgers versus today’s elite QBs. “And I’ve said, ‘He’s a better version of Anthony Richardson.’ Great kid, throws a deep ball, and now with DK Metcalf, they have a deep threat along with Pickens. And this is Aaron’s reality in 2025. He is a stopgap.”