Quite a few reporters have instructed all through February that the Pittsburgh Steelers won’t pursue New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers each time he formally turns into accessible. That is partly as a result of Rodgers and the Steelers allegedly “clash” stylistically.
Throughout a Monday look on the “NFL Reside” program, ESPN analyst Invoice Barnwell provided a distinct perspective on how Rodgers may match with the Steelers for a minimum of the 2025 season.
“The formulation of what the Steelers do on offense suits what Rodgers does finest at this level of his profession, which is defend the soccer,” Barnwell defined, Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora shared. “The Steelers are 35-13 over the past 4 years after they flip the ball over zero occasions or one time in a sport. They’re 3-16-1 after they flip the ball over twice or extra. …Aaron Rodgers’ last 10 games of the season — 18 touchdowns, simply 4 picks. Once more, he isn’t the Aaron Rodgers of 5, 10 years in the past, however he can defend the soccer.”
Excluding the Jets’ 2023 marketing campaign opener that noticed Rodgers go down with a torn Achilles 4 offensive performs into the sport, he tossed 23 interceptions over his final 34 regular-season contests. Nonetheless, it is value noting he was banged up all through lots of these matchups. Particularly, he played with a damaged thumb on his throwing hand within the fall of 2022. Extra lately, a serious hamstring issue, accidents to each his knees and a low ankle sprain slowed Rodgers this previous season.
The Steelers seemingly aren’t in a rush to “overpay” present starter Russell Wilson or backup Justin Fields, who will turn out to be free brokers when the brand new league 12 months opens on March 12. Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams might not be an option for Pittsburgh or every other membership this offseason, and there is no sign the Steelers will make a blockbuster commerce for an enormous title similar to Jacksonville Jaguars starter Trevor Lawrence.
“You do not actually have any path to different alternate options,” Barnwell added concerning the Steelers presumably giving Rodgers a name. “Why not take that swing and attempt to construct your staff across the protection and particular groups and defending the soccer on offense?”
Sports activities Illustrated’s Albert Breer believes that the Steelers ought to think about touchdown Rodgers “given what number of items are already in place, the franchise’s historical past and the presence of offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.” Smith and Wilson reportedly “didn’t have an excellent working relationship” throughout the second half of the 2024 season. Nonetheless, Smith may view Rodgers as the higher bridge choice for Pittsburgh’s offense this September.
