10 years in the past, the Pittsburgh Steelers signing Aaron Rodgers would’ve been a dream. At present, it’s a little bit extra lackluster. Rodgers is coming off two of the worst years of his profession. An Achilles damage knocked him out for the 2023 season, and in 2024, he didn’t seem like the identical participant. At 41 years outdated, Rodgers is extra more likely to proceed declining than he’s to return to his outdated type. Nevertheless, analyst Ryan Wilson believes there are some causes for followers to be optimistic about Rodgers and the Steelers.
“I feel for those who can catch lightning in a bottle with Aaron Rodgers at 41 years outdated, you may get to 10, you may get to 11 wins.” Wilson stated not too long ago on CBS Sports activities HQ. “Don’t overlook, they had been 10-3 final yr with Russ Wilson earlier than the wheels fell off, and I feel that Aaron Rodgers is a slight improve over Russ Wilson. The offensive line is gonna be a little bit bit higher, it’ll be a little bit bit youthful.
“The run recreation needs to be a lot improved. They drafted a operating again, Kaleb Johnson, within the third spherical that’s gonna excel on this Arthur Smith system. And I feel the protection is gonna be a little bit higher. All these taken into consideration, if Aaron Rodgers can do Aaron Rodgers issues on the sector and never be a distraction off the sector, you might have DK Metcalf, there are slight causes for optimism.”
Wilson makes some strong factors. The Steelers’ offense has held them again lately, with the quarterback place being certainly one of their greatest weaknesses. Rodgers isn’t a famous person anymore, however even this model of him may very well be the Steelers’ greatest quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger.
If that’s the case, then they need to be a greater group this yr. The Steelers have caught round within the playoff image regardless of their poor play below middle. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields final yr, they had been in first place of the AFC North for a lot of the season. It could be too robust for them to truly win the division with Rodgers, however maybe they’ll lastly win a playoff recreation.
That’s the monkey on Pittsburgh’s again in the mean time. They haven’t gained a playoff recreation for the reason that 2016 season, with most of their postseason losses being ugly. Rodgers provides the Steelers an opportunity to vary that.
Nevertheless, like Wilson says, quarterback isn’t the one spot the place the Steelers improved this offseason. Their younger offensive line has a chance to proceed creating. That unit may very well be significantly better than they had been final yr.
Additionally, the Steelers’ protection ended the 2024 season on a down be aware. They appeared misplaced, with missed tackles and miscommunication hurting them. This yr, they gained’t need to repeat that. They upgraded at a number of positions, like nook and line of defense, in order that they have a large amount of expertise. The Steelers’ protection may very well be one of many prime items within the league this season.
Proper now, it’s exhausting to say the Steelers are Tremendous Bowl contenders. They in all probability aren’t on that stage but. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply they’ll’t make noise within the playoffs. Whereas Rodgers is a controversial determine, he nonetheless appeared like a wonderful participant in 2024. If he can play at that stage once more this yr, Pittsburgh may have a extra profitable season.
