Two turbulent years with the New York Jets came to an end this spring when the franchise and Aaron Rodgers parted ways, setting up a high-profile restart in Pittsburgh. The four‑time MVP signed a one‑year deal with the Steelers, then opened 2025 by beating his former team in Week 1, while making clear the split still carried emotion.
Why Did Aaron Rodgers Leave the Jets?
Rodgers’ New York tenure veered off course almost immediately. Four snaps into his Jets debut in 2023, he tore his Achilles and missed the season. He returned in 2024, but the Jets finished 5-12 and later dismissed head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas amid widespread changes.
In January 2025, New York hired head coach Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey, and by March, the organization informed Rodgers it would move on.
Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” he flew cross‑country at his own expense and was bluntly told the team was changing direction at quarterback. NFL reporter Tom Pelissero relayed that the team understood Rodgers would already be in the area and had invited him to the building; however, the Jets quickly conveyed their decision to go another way.
Regardless of logistics, the outcome was Rodgers’ release and free agency. He downplayed the Week 1 buildup beforehand, but after the Steelers edged the Jets 34-32 in East Rutherford, he said, “I was happy to beat everybody associated with the Jets.”
Steelers’ Push for Aaron Rodgers in 2025
Pittsburgh pursued Rodgers through the spring, and he signed ahead of mandatory minicamp. According to reports, he signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with $10 million guaranteed and up to $5.85 million in incentives.
Rodgers framed the decision as a fresh start, calling it “best for my soul,” and said he wanted to enjoy the game, pass on his knowledge, and help lead the team.
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On the field, his Steelers debut matched the stage: 22‑of‑30 passing for 244 yards and four touchdowns in a 34–32 comeback over the Jets. Through four games, he has thrown for 786 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions while leading Pittsburgh to a 3-1 start.
Heading into Week 6, Rodgers is ranked as the 26th-best quarterback in the league based on PFSN’s Quarterback Impact metric. He has an impact score of 72.5 and a C- grade.
Pittsburgh’s early red‑zone efficiency was among the league’s best despite modest overall yardage and protection issues (seven sacks taken).
After 5–12, the Jets turned the page with new leadership. Rodgers signed a one‑year deal in Pittsburgh and has so far shown that he still tilts games in pressure moments.
Rodgers’ Fantasy Outlook for Week 6
Here’s what PFSN’s Kyle Soppe wrote about Rodgers’ fantasy outlook for the Steelers’ Week 6 game against the Cleveland Browns:
Rodgers has some juice left, and that makes Pittsburgh frisky, but it doesn’t mean he is of any interest to us.
“Game manager” gets a bad rap, but I don’t know what else you want to call it. Rodgers is throwing just 27 passes per game and offers no rushing equity at this point. The last time we saw him was Week 4 in Ireland, a game in which he hit DK Metcalf on a slant for an 80-yard touchdown, the type of play that usually elevates a QB into the top 10 without much trouble.
He was QB21 in Week 4 because that was his only score, and he threw just 21 other passes.
For the season, 85.1% of Rodgers’ pass attempts have traveled under 10 yards downfield. He’s doing it well right now, but he’s a game manager, and our fantasy matchups need access to upside that he simply doesn’t have access to in this system.
Rodgers is projected to score 9.5 fantasy points in PPR formats. We project Rodgers to throw for 129 yards and 1.0 passing touchdowns with 0.3 interceptions. Rodgers could also add three rushing yards on the ground.
Check out the free PFSN Fantasy Start-Sit Optimizer for the latest projections and advice for your lineups this week.
