The Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers are gearing up for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, which is under a month away. After agreeing to a one-year deal to finish out Rodgers’ career, the team has a one-year window to pursue a championship.
Outside of adding Rodgers, the Steelers proved that they were going all-in on winning now. They acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and both Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins.
While the team is talented enough to win a championship, a lot of those hopes will depend on what version of Rodgers they’re getting.
Rodgers is now 41 years old. He will turn 42 in December.
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With retirement right around the corner, the future Hall of Fame quarterback is no longer the dynamic superstar that he once was. However, he showed during the 2024 NFL season that he can still play at a high level.
Just one year removed from a torn Achilles, Rodgers completed 63 percent of his pass attempts for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. If he can replicate that level of play or perhaps take it up a notch, Pittsburgh is not going to be an easy team to beat.
Now that preseason is fully underway, there have been questions about whether or not the Steelers will play Rodgers. That might have been answered.
Mike Tomlin, the team’s head coach, spoke out and dropped a hint about Rodgers’ preseason status when talking about some head coaches who choose not to play their starting quarterback in the preseason.
“You might be looking at one in 2025,” Tomlin said. “Hey, [Aaron Rodgers] has been doing this for 21 years. His cumulative snap total and what’s required for him to be ready is different than others. And so if I’m not adaptable and open to adjustments relative to the needs of our guys, then I’m not doing my job. And so you might be looking at one of those coaches in 2025.”
Rodgers is not known for playing in the preseason. In recent years, he has not needed to participate in exhibition games and has simply used practice reps and join practices as his ramp up for the regular season.
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It seems very unlikely that he will participate in preseason action this year.
Hopefully, the decision to sit Rodgers does not result in a slow start to the season for Pittsburgh. In the AFC, there are quite a few potential contenders. The Steelers will need to come out strong to make sure that they’re among those teams.
Don’t be surprised if the first time Rodgers is sign in game action for Pittsburgh is in Week 1 when the team takes on the New York Jets.
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