When Aaron Rodgers was a member of the New York Jets, many issues had been put in place for him to succeed. Sadly for them, that success by no means got here. With Rodgers now being a Pittsburgh Steeler, some followers apprehensive the same overhaul would possibly happen. Based on Emmanuel Acho, that’s already taking place. Due to that, Acho believes there’s some added strain on Rodgers going into 2025.
“As soon as once more, a company has made roster changes for Aaron Rodgers… The Jets utterly made roster changes for Aaron Rodgers, acquired nothing in return,” Acho mentioned on FS1’s The Facility on Tuesday. “And right here once more, we see the Steelers buying Jonnu Smith… Buying Jalen Ramsey, gotta do away with Minkah Fitzpatrick. I do know Minkah Fitzpatrick, three First-Staff All Execs in simply six years with the Steelers, however advantageous, Aaron Rodgers. We want Jonnu Smith, gotta transfer Minkah, we’ll get Ramsey… It’s added strain on Rodgers, as a result of this group is altering the DNA of the group, only for Aaron.”
Acho makes it clear that he doesn’t essentially blame Rodgers. He thinks Rodgers brings sufficient hope to the group that the Steelers must make these strikes.
“I believe Aaron Rodgers offers you a lot hope that you simply say to your self, let’s go for all of it… I believe it’s the group saying, ‘Oh, we acquired an opportunity, let’s go for it,’” Acho mentioned.
Whether or not the Jets bowing to his needs is Rodgers’ fault or not, it’s a repute that he now has. Nevertheless, it feels slightly excessive to assume Rodgers is the explanation for all of those strikes. Sure, this offseason has been in contrast to another for the Steelers. Nevertheless, there are different causes behind the strikes.
For one, the Steelers weren’t buying and selling Minkah Fitzpatrick solely to get Jonnu Smith. Probably the most vital return within the deal is clearly Jalen Ramsey, who the Steelers imagine brings extra to their secondary at this level. Reporting from Jeremy Fowler suggests the Steelers had the thought of transferring Fitzpatrick of their thoughts way back to March, lengthy earlier than Rodgers was even near signing with Pittsburgh. Smith is a participant the Steelers had an curiosity in, and easily comes alongside in the identical deal to get Ramsey.
That mentioned, the Steelers absolutely do not less than have Rodgers in thoughts when making their offseason strikes. Smith brings one other factor to the Steelers’ offense. His skill with the ball in his arms makes him beneficial after the catch. He’ll see loads of alternatives within the quick passing sport. That will cater to Rodgers, who will probably be 42 this season and is taking part in behind an offensive line with a couple of querys of its personal.
It’s additionally vital to notice that Rodgers is coming to Pittsburgh differently than he did in New York. He appears rather more at peace with the Steelers, with a lot much less strain than throughout his two years as a Jet.
There’s at all times some strain that comes with quarterbacking a franchise that’s conversant in success. Nevertheless, Aaron Rodgers isn’t bringing any of his outdated mates alongside and isn’t making any calls for both. Simply because he’s on the roster when the Steelers determine to shake up their protection doesn’t precisely imply the group is altering its DNA for him, particularly when either side appear to view this experiment as a one-year rental.
