The last unresolved saga heading into the 2025 NFL season involves Aaron Rodgers. He is a name long associated with controversy in the league due to his outspoken personality, but on the field, Rodgers has built a legacy as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history.
While he remains without a team and most franchises have already settled their quarterback situations for the season, the most likely scenario is that Rodgers signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, one analyst pointed out that Rodgers is past his prime, and the franchise doesn’t need to commit to him at any cost in 2025.
Is Aaron Rodgers Crucial for the Steelers in 2025?
In recent seasons, it’s become clear that Mike Tomlin can work with average quarterbacks and still reach the postseason or come close. But it’s also evident that in the AFC, no team will go far without a great quarterback or someone capable of elevating the offense.
That’s the dilemma Pittsburgh finds itself in. They consistently finish seasons well enough not to be among the NFL’s worst, but not well enough to truly contend for a title. And heading into 2025, there’s still no clear name for the QB position, though all signs point to Rodgers as the leading candidate.
On a May 26 edition of the “Get Up” show, ESPN insider Dan Graziano shared his strong opinion on Rodgers and the current stage of his career. He said that Pittsburgh doesn’t necessarily need to depend on him at all costs for the upcoming season.
“This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that. … He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph.”
—@DanGrazianoESPN pic.twitter.com/CAPmRdaKdU
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 26, 2025
“This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers, this is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers, this is a shell of that,” Graziano said. “He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played.”
On paper, Rodgers’ 2024 season didn’t look bad. He finished with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, along with 3,897 passing yards, numbers that would be considered solid for many quarterbacks in the NFL. However, much of that production was inflated toward the end of the season, when the New York Jets were already out of playoff contention.
On the field, Rodgers looked unmotivated and lacked the game speed he once had. It felt like a shadow of the great quarterback he used to be, still clearly talented, but no longer playing with the same fire.
“I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up, and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn’t,” Graziano added. “And I just don’t think the Steelers are sitting there hanging on Aaron Rodgers’ decision as if he says no, we’re gonna have to fold the franchise and not even play the 2025 season. I just don’t think that’s how they’re looking at it.”
During a Q&A session, Rodgers hinted that he might actually play in Pittsburgh in 2025. When asked if he would ever consider playing for the Chicago Bears, he replied no, but added that there’s a team playing an away game against the Bears this season, possibly referring to the Steelers, who will face Chicago in Week 12.
Whatever the outcome of this story, Rodgers shouldn’t be seen as the Steelers’ savior for 2025. Instead, the team should rather view it as a final attempt to do something significant this season before beginning a new project with a rookie QB who could eventually take over the franchise’s future.
And for Rodgers, Pittsburgh might be his last chance to end his Hall of Fame career on a high note.