The months-long Aaron Rodgers–Pittsburgh Steelers saga is finally over, as the veteran quarterback signed a one-year, $13.6 million deal. He arrived in time for the team’s mandatory minicamp and will have a tight window to learn the playbook and get to know Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Steelers quarterback legend Ben Roethlisberger recently sat down with one of his former play callers, Randy Fichtner, on his “Footbahlin” podcast and shared what Rodgers must do to thrive in Pittsburgh.
Ben Roethlisberger Says QB-OC Relationship Is Critical for Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers
Roethlisberger played 18 seasons for the Steelers, retiring after the 2021 campaign. Fichtner was with the team from 2007 to 2020, serving as the wide receivers coach before becoming quarterbacks coach in 2010 and offensive coordinator in 2018.
The two worked together directly for 11 seasons, seven of which ended with a playoff berth. Roethlisberger knows what a strong quarterback-offensive coordinator relationship looks like and believes Rodgers and Smith must form one quickly.
Roethlisberger hosted Fichtner on his podcast, where the two focused heavily on Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh. The conversation eventually turned to the importance of communication in football, and the longtime quarterback shared what he thinks will make or break this pairing.
Roethlisberger said, “There’s going to be times that you know as a coordinator you’re going to call a play and the quarterback does not like that play. The more you get to know each other, the more you’re like, ‘Okay, I’m going to stay away from that call cause I know he doesn’t like it in this situation.'”
“I don’t know how well those guys know each other, but there’s definitely going to be that relationship. I got along great with you. I got along great with BA [Bruce Arians]. It wasn’t always hunky dory, but that’s what relationships are. It’s give and take. There’s good, there’s bad.”
“To me, that’s the X factor. How are these two gonna communicate with each other?”
Rodgers’ delayed signing caused him to miss most of the team’s offseason program and a lot of time with Smith. One week of minicamp isn’t enough to build trust and rhythm, but training camp will give them a shot.
Rodgers joins the Steelers after two rough years with the New York Jets. He tore his Achilles in 2023, then finished 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric in 2024. The Jets went 5-12 last season, with Rodgers throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
The Steelers need a jump-start on offense after finishing 25th in PFSN’s Offense+ metric, and Rodgers needs to show he’s still one of the game’s best. Roethlisberger’s X factor makes a lot of sense, but now it’s up to Rodgers and Smith to make it work.
