Columnist Sees Steelers Betting On Aaron Rodgers To ‘Elevate’ Workforce As Largest Problem Of Season

After dropping 5 straight video games to shut the 2024 season and watching the offense led by quarterback Russell Wilson battle to do a lot of something proper, the Pittsburgh Steelers made vital adjustments on the quarterback place this offseason.

Wilson and backup Justin Fields walked in free company, and in got here 41-year-old former Aaron Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and future first-ballot Corridor of Famer.

It took longer than many anticipated as Rodgers didn’t signal with the Steelers till June 5. However as soon as he did, issues began to take off in a constructive course for the Steelers. Nevertheless, NFL.com columnist Jeffri Chadiha believes the addition of Rodgers and betting on him to raise the Steelers in 2025 is the most important problem for the Black and Gold this season.

“There’s little question he’s the most suitable choice this group has employed at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger retired,” Chadiha writes concerning Rodgers. “It’s additionally truthful to marvel if he can discover extra success in Pittsburgh than he achieved with the Jets over the previous two seasons, after he’d arrived as a extremely touted savior for that franchise.

“The AFC is full of Tremendous Bowl contenders, together with the reigning AFC North champion Ravens. It can take so much for Rodgers to raise this group previous the ten wins it reached in 2024.”

A part of Chadiha’s reasoning that betting on Rodgers is the most important problem for the Steelers is due to how lengthy it took him to signal. The dearth of participation in offseason group constructing and studying might hinder Rodgers throughout the season, Chadiha presumes.

The Steelers aren’t fearful about that, although. They believed all alongside that Rodgers, even at 41 years outdated, was a plug-and-play quarterback. Getting him signed earlier than necessary minicamp and getting him on the sector, studying the playbook and constructing chemistry along with his cross catchers was big.

Early in coaching camp, issues are going nicely, too. Rodgers is taking over a management position and has been every part the Steelers had been hoping he’d be, at the least thus far. Whereas he’s had some struggles on the sector within the first 4 days of coaching camp, throwing a few interceptions and lacking on some throws, that may all work itself out earlier than the common season.

Rodgers nonetheless has a fantastic release and the arm seems good in camp, too. There’s no actual wager there from the Steelers. He has proven that through the years, and he closed the 2024 season sturdy in New York. The one actual query is his potential to remain wholesome.

If he can keep wholesome, the offensive line can take a step ahead and the protection can right a few of the points that plagued the group down the stretch final season, Pittsburgh ought to win 10-12 video games and be capable to recover from the hump within the playoffs. It may not take a lot from Rodgers, both, because the Steelers aren’t placing all of it on him.