The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves at a crossroads this offseason, searching for a new starting quarterback after parting ways with Russell Wilson and losing Justin Fields to a two-year contract with the New York Jets.
As the team looks to bolster its roster for the 2025 season, speculation is heating up about their next move under center, with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers emerging as a prime target.
Since Monday, chatter has intensified around Pittsburgh’s interest in Rodgers. However, there’s also a lingering possibility that the Steelers could circle back to Wilson, a move that has drawn skepticism from analysts.
ESPN’s Louis Riddick minced no words when discussing the idea of Wilson returning to the Steel City, stating, “To run it back with Russ, it’s just not good enough. They need to level up.”
Riddick’s assessment underscores a growing sentiment that the Steelers, yearly contenders under head coach Mike Tomlin, need a quarterback capable of elevating their ceiling.
Wilson’s 2024 performance wasn’t disastrous—he threw for 2,482 yards and 16 touchdowns—but it fell short of inspiring confidence. Once a dynamic dual-threat quarterback, the 36-year-old has lost much of the mobility that defined his prime, leaving him as a serviceable but unremarkable option.
In contrast, Rodgers, despite his own age at 41, showcased a higher level of production last season, racking up 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdowns with the Jets. While he may be “over the hill,” as some critics suggest, his arm talent and football IQ could still provide the Steelers with the upgrade they’re seeking.
Pittsburgh’s passing game is poised for a breakout in 2025, thanks to a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks that landed them star wide receiver DK Metcalf. Paired with the electric George Pickens, Metcalf gives the Steelers a formidable duo capable of stretching defenses and creating big plays.
Add in one of the NFL’s stingiest defenses and Tomlin’s remarkable track record—he’s never posted a losing season since taking the helm in 2007—and the Steelers have the pieces in place to compete at a high level. What they lack, however, is a quarterback to tie it all together.
The Rodgers rumors come amid competing speculation that the New York Giants could swoop in to sign the future Hall of Famer.
Just days ago, the Giants appeared to be a potential landing spot, but the tide seems to have shifted. Sources now suggest Pittsburgh has the “inside track” to secure Rodgers’ services, positioning them as frontrunners in what could be one of the offseason’s biggest moves.
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, they can only wait to find out what Rodgers’ decision will be.
Bringing back Wilson might offer familiarity, but it risks stagnation for a team with postseason aspirations. Rodgers, while a gamble given his age and recent rocky stint in New York, represents a chance to “level up,” as Riddick put it, and maximize the potential of a roster built to win now.
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