Following months of ready for a choice and countless hypothesis relating to the match and what he might provide them because the beginning quarterback, Aaron Rodgers lastly decided, signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers to be the quarterback for the 2025 season.
Whereas it’s only a one-year deal, the Steelers and Rodgers have visions of competing this season. The assumption is the Steelers lastly have a high-level quarterback once more, one who can learn the sphere with the very best of them, nonetheless has a terrific arm and a fast launch, and might get the offense into the correct performs inside video games whereas taking part in on time and in construction.
Not everybody believes the Rodgers-Steelers pairing can be fruitful. For ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano, he doesn’t see how the Rodgers addition makes an enormous distinction for the franchise in 2025, particularly after Rodgers struggled final season with the New York Jets, going 5-12 and resulting in an unceremonious launch.
In a chunk for ESPN.com addressing looming questions below middle for all 32 groups, Graziano had main questions for the Steelers and Rodgers.
“Truthfully, I don’t see how Rodgers’ signing makes an enormous distinction. If the Steelers actually suppose their 2025 season simply received saved by signing a QB who was twenty fifth in QBR, twenty sixth in completion share and thirteenth in TD/INT ratio final season, gained 5 video games and received launched by the Jets, they must step again and ask themselves what they’re doing,” Graziano writes relating to Rodgers and the Steelers, based on ESPN.com. “A 41-year-old Rodgers might not make the Steelers considerably higher than they had been with out him, and even when he does, they’re more likely to nonetheless be in search of their QB reply subsequent offseason.”
The numbers from Rodgers’ final season weren’t all that nice, particularly the Jets’ document, which led to the franchise largely cleansing home throughout the board, from the entrance workplace to the teaching employees and the offensive facet of the soccer.
Issues weren’t good from the beginning for the Jets as Rodgers was nonetheless working his manner again from his torn Achilles and wasn’t absolutely again to having the ability to play on the degree he wished to. However within the ultimate 5 video games of the season, Rodgers confirmed actual flashes of his outdated self, having fairly a little bit of success down the stretch.
The precise arm seemed very sturdy, the discharge was nonetheless lightning fast, and he confirmed some mobility, having the ability to throw on the run and make performs. The Jets determined to maneuver on, although, and the Steelers are actually banking on Rodgers being a very good beginning quarterback in 2025, signing him to a one-year deal.
There’s quite a lot of perception in Rodgers from the Steelers’ perspective. Head coach Mike Tomlin is leaning laborious on Rodgers’ resume. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth each imagine Rodgers stays a high-end quarterback who can operate effectively throughout the Steelers’ offense.
The offensive line needs to be a lot better in 2025, and Rodgers could have a gentle dashing assault behind him with the likes of rookie Kaleb Johnson, Jaylen Warren, and Kenneth Gainwell to lean on, one thing he didn’t have in New York. Then, there’s additionally the presence of cross catchers DK Metcalf, Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson for Rodgers to work with, too.
It may not be the kind of weaponry he had in New York, however Rodgers is in a secure atmosphere the place he just has to play soccer and never fear about being a savior or doing all the things for the franchise. That ought to bode effectively for him in his one season.
If it does, the Steelers needs to be demonstrably higher offensively in 2025, giving them an actual likelihood to compete and win within the playoffs.
