We’ll be following along closely as Aaron Rodgers officially signs with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is a four-time league MVP and perhaps the most iconic quarterback in NFL history. The New York Jets cut the 39-year-old Rodgers in mid March. He weighed all of his options and priorities before choosing to sign with the Steelers. He will be looked upon to provide the spark the team will need from the very beginning as they jockey for position in a tough UHCL schedule.
The 2025 season would be a meaningful one for Rodgers, as he’ll be 42 at some point during the season. As he takes on this next chapter, uncertainty looms, both in regards to how well he’ll perform and whether he can get back to his former self. The quarterback’s track record paints a picture of uneven returns. His peak season was in 2020 and that’s when he was coached by head coach Matt LaFleur. That year, he flourished in a system that utilized play-action and pre-snap motion. This was an innate change of pace for Wilson after his trial by fire with the Jets last season.
Things went poorly for Rodgers in 2024 as well. He finished the season ranked 26th in Quarterback Rating (QBR). He passed for 3,897 yards, threw 29 touchdown passes compared to 11 intercepted. Yet he endured a challenging year after going down with an Achilles injury just two games into the 2021 season. As a result, he missed nearly all of 2023. His CPOE was very low at minus-5%, which shows how much he was having a tough time making accurate throws. Only Anthony Richardson and Cooper Rush were worse in this metric.
Even amid these misfortunes, Rodgers showed flashes of greatness. He led the league in 30-or-more mph top-speed plays last season, with a whopping 17 of those coming in Weeks 13 and later. This late-season surge is a portent of his ability to become a quick-striking and explosive option when the chips are really down. His general performance was disappointing. Plus, he’s had elite playmakers in the passing game in guys like Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams to throw to.
Rodgers’ performance had been in a decline before his arrival to the Jets. His injury isn’t the only factor contributing to this sharp decline in ability. During his last year with the Green Bay Packers in 2022, he bombed out. These challenges led many to worry about his long-term effectiveness. Through the 2021 season, he tallied an absurd QBR of 74.1. This league leading stellar performance was enough for him to win his second MVP award.
As the Steelers invite Rodgers into their fold, they’re betting on his vast experience and impeccable skill set to take their anemic offensive attack to new heights. Assuming he plays for around $10 million—a figure he previously mentioned—this move could be seen as financially prudent for Pittsburgh. The reaching organization is hoping that Rodgers can continue creating magic based on history, while being plugged into their system.
As we move into this new chapter, mostly analysts have high expectations for Rodgers. They think he’s a better bet to finish the season as a top-10 QB than established veterans such as Russell Wilson or Kirk Cousins. His remarkable career accomplishments and understanding of the game naturally lead to a deeper level of optimism.
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