It’s Finally Over…Aaron Rodgers is Officially a Pittsburgh Steeler
After several months of speculation, Aaron Rodgers arrived at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex in Pittsburgh early this morning to sign a one-year deal to play quarterback for the Steelers. The deal includes $10M guaranteed and maxes out at $19.5M if things go well for both sides.
I won’t lie to yinz…I was buckled up and ready for at least eight regular season games of Mason Rudolph as QB1 this season…but right when I decide I’m done giving the Aaron Rodgers thing any more attention…he’s ready to go. The timeline makes sense, though, with voluntary OTAs coming to an end and mandatory minicamp kicking off next week. His contract is signed, sealed, and delivered, and he’ll join his teammates on Tuesday, and speak to the media following his first practice with the Steelers.
Omar Khan swore up and down that they’d take four quarterbacks into training camp, and he’ll have his way as the Steelers roster now consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, Will Howard, and Aaron Rodgers.
Back in April, I briefly discussed what I think Aaron Rodgers in a Steelers uniform could look like, and while everything I said in that post remains true, I would like to give an updated opinion on that matter this coming week now that everything is official. Plus, a ton has changed since then, including the addition of guys like Kaleb Johnson, the departure of George Pickens, and a trenches-heavy draft. Now that he has signed his contract, we can do an actual preview of the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers offense, which is exciting.
Like many of the moves the Steelers have made this offseason, the addition of Aaron Rodgers is a bit of a mixed bag among Steeler fans. A lot of the negative reaction to this move has to do with the enigmatic and egotistical reputation that he has built for himself over the years, which is not something that I’m going to crush him over. I know quite a few good ol boys that love themselves a bible-thumping, baby-kissing quarterback, but I can assure you it takes a certain type of ego to get to that level of stardom; Aaron Rodgers just isn’t afraid to hide it. I’m ok with that. I just want to know what version of him the Steelers are getting. I don’t think they’re getting the hyper-focused four-time MVP and Super Bowl Champion. Hell, the guy said himself the reason he was making teams wait to sign with them was because he wasn’t in a place where he was ready to give his all to football. Now, the contract is signed…so at 41 years old…are we getting 100% of whatever he’s able to physically give us? Is he ready and committed to giving his all in 2025 for the Pittsburgh Steelers? If so, then I think we can win 11 games, and maybe a playoff game. I think he can do that on arm talent alone. If he’s not committed to the process…then the Steelers are around a 9 win team and he will have been a fine bridge into what everyone expects to be the year the Steelers draft their QB of the future. For $10 million, I struggle to find a downside to adding Aaron Rodgers to our roster, other than the media shitstorm that will now follow us around for the year. And, it’s not like we’re competing for a Super Bowl this year…so is the added drama really all that bad for us, as fans?
Important Footnote: Did yinz see how realistic I just was? For added measure…I’d just like to reiterate once more that RIGHT NOW…I don’t think the Pittsburgh Steelers are a Super Bowl contender this coming season. With that being said, we just signed one of the best quarterbacks in the history of the game of football. So, as we progress through this summer and into the preseason…when I inevitably convince myself that this team can do the unthinkable and go on a run…I want yinz to remember this moment where with a clear, unemotional head, I told you the truth about what the Steelers expectations should be this season.
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