The Pittsburgh Steelers have made some notable moves ahead of the 2025 NFL season, including their blockbuster trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. However, after watching quarterback Justin Fields agree to sign with the New York Jets on a two-year, $40 million deal, Pittsburgh still lacks answers at the game’s most important position.
The Steelers have been rumored as a suitor for Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and considering the team appears to be just a quality quarterback away from genuine contention, it’s not surprising that both parties continue to explore a potential agreement.
However, Rodgers, 41, is coming off a rough 5-12 season with the Jets following his Achilles tear in 2023. He has his detractors, and some close to the Steelers’ front office have made it clear they believe the team would be better off without the league’s oldest active QB.
Former Steelers Safety Ryan Clark Warns Team Against Signing Aaron Rodgers
Former NFL safety Ryan Clark, who spent eight of his 13 seasons with the Steelers, including their 2008 Super Bowl run, has become a notable football analyst for ESPN. Known for his blunt opinions, Clark was recently asked on ESPN’s “Get Up” if he believed Rodgers was the answer for Pittsburgh in 2025.
His response? A resounding no.
“I think that Mike Tomlin can work with anybody. I think that the personality of Mike Tomlin is to find the best in any situation in order to help his team reach its fullest potential,” Clark began, offering high praise for Pittsburgh’s head coach.
“But let’s say you put Scar on the team. You know, Scar from The Lion King, right? Yeah, here it is. Mufasa is trying to be Scar’s brother. Right? Do you know what Scar’s name was before Scar? It was Taka. Do you know what Taka meant? Garbage, wasted. That’s exactly what could happen if you bring Aaron Rodgers in there. You could have a wasted season.”
"[You're going to] have two crash-outs at wide receiver and then add the quiet crash-out at quarterback?"
—@Realrclark25 on if the Pittsburgh Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers pic.twitter.com/937c5rE5Sd
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) March 12, 2025
Fields, who started six games for the Steelers in 2024 (going 4-2) before giving way to veteran Russell Wilson (who also remains a free agent), finished the 2024 season with a 78.1 grade, according to PFSN’s QB+ metric.
That ranked ahead of both Wilson (75.3 QB+) and Rodgers (72.2 QB+), though technically, Fields didn’t have enough pass attempts to qualify in the rankings. Regardless, it’s clear the Steelers have put themselves in a difficult spot by letting the young, mobile signal-caller walk.
Rodgers had one of the worst seasons of his career last year with the Jets, winning just five games — far from the Super Bowl contention he had promised the franchise and its fan base.
If he hopes to improve on his 2024 numbers (3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 63.0% completion rate, and a 90.5 passer rating), Rodgers could do worse than Pittsburgh, which has posted a .500 or better record in all 18 of Mike Tomlin’s seasons as head coach.
If they fail to land the four-time MVP, the Steelers will be looking at a thin quarterback market. A reunion with Wilson seems unlikely, though they have reportedly been in contact with Mason Rudolph, their 2023 postseason starter.
Even if Clark is right about Rodgers being “washed,” Pittsburgh’s alternatives don’t offer much more hope for 2025. The team may just have to risk a “garbage, wasted” year with the former Jets quarterback under center.