Steelers fans have thought of Aaron Rodgers as their QB1 since the day Russell Wilson signed with the Giants. It wasn’t anywhere near official then, but it felt inevitable. A future Hall of Famer in search of the right fit. A franchise itching to end a playoff win drought. A retooled offense begging for someone with command. The breadcrumbs were all there.

Now it’s more than just fan speculation: Aaron Rodgers is reportedly set to sign a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Why Pittsburgh, Why Now?

The Steelers aren’t short on storylines these days. Back-to-back 10-win seasons have kept them in the mix, but that elusive playoff win? It’s been a while—2016, to be exact. They’ve had talent, no doubt, but never quite the quarterback play to push them over the edge. Last year’s patchwork approach with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields didn’t move the needle much, and by the end of the season, it felt like both the team and the fanbase knew it was time for something else.

Aaron Rodgers has kind of been floating in the background this whole offseason. Once Wilson signed with the Giants and Fields ended up with the Jets, the Steelers’ options thinned out fast. And from Rodgers’ side, once the dust settled, Pittsburgh started to look like the only landing spot that made sense.

Rodgers and Mike Tomlin have always had a healthy respect for each other. You could see it in those sideline smiles, in the way they talked about each other after games. When the two finally sat down for an extended meeting this spring — reportedly for six hours — it wasn’t some sales pitch. It was two football guys seeing if this could actually work. Apparently, it clicked.

Will the Real Aaron Rodgers Please Stand Up?

Yes, 2024 in New York wasn’t peak Rodgers, but it also wasn’t a total disaster. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions — solid numbers that just didn’t translate into wins. The Jets finished 5-12, and Rodgers spent more time peeling himself off the turf than dissecting defenses thanks to a leaky offensive line that gave up 46 sacks. It was frustrating to watch, but even in that mess, he still flashed enough to remind you the talent’s not gone.

Now line those stats up with what Pittsburgh trotted out last year — a passing attack that ranked dead last in yards per attempt and 28th in red-zone efficiency — and it’s easy to see why this move makes sense. Rodgers doesn’t need to be the guy who won MVPs; he just needs to be smart and keep the offense on schedule.

And here’s the part that should have fans cautiously optimistic: Achilles injuries are tricky, but they’re also slow-healing. It’s well documented that it can take a full year or more after surgery to get back to 100%. He’s still 41, sure — but there’s a chance the 2025 version of Rodgers actually looks better than what we saw a year ago. And if that happens, the ceiling for this offense gets a whole lot higher.

The Steelers’ Offseason Makeover

The Steelers clearly aren't putting all of the blame for last year on the quarterback. George Pickens had his moments, but the Steelers made it clear they wanted a more physically dominant, polished option to headline the room. So they pulled off one of the bigger trades of the spring, landing DK Metcalf from Seattle and handing him a five-year, $150 million extension. It’s a big bet, but when you add a 6'4" wideout who can burn corners and out-muscle safeties, you’re giving your quarterback a serious mismatch on the outside.

Rather than commit to paying two top-tier wide receivers, the Steelers made the call to send George Pickens to Dallas. It was a cap-conscious move that cleared space for Metcalf’s extension and helped avoid future roster headaches. 

Behind Rodgers, the backfield saw some changes too. Jaylen Warren’s growth last season was hard to ignore, and while they let Najee Harris walk, the team brought in Kenneth Gainwell to add burst and extra hands on third down.

It’s not quite a thunder-and-lightning backfield, but it’s a group with real flexibility — and that matters when you're building an offense around quick reads and mismatches.

This certainly isn’t the same group that sputtered to 17 points per game last year. It’s faster, more physical, and built to be more balanced. They didn’t bring Rodgers in to run it all himself — they gave him a much better supporting cast to work with.

Circle These Dates

• September 7: Week 1 vs. Jets: Rodgers vs. Justin Fields. Two quarterbacks making debuts for new teams... against the teams that just let them go. No shortage of motivation here.

• Week 4: vs. Minnesota Vikings (Dublin, Ireland): This one has some layers. First, it’s the NFL’s first regular-season game in Ireland — so the spotlight will already be bright. But for Rodgers, there’s a little extra behind it. Minnesota reportedly wasn’t all that interested in him this offseason, opting to roll with JJ McCarthy instead. He’ll never say it, but you have to imagine he’s got this one circled. International game or not, Rodgers tends to remember who passed on him.

• Week 8: vs. Green Bay Packers: Sunday Night Football. Rodgers vs. the team where he built his legacy. It’s emotional, sure, but it’s also competitive. The Packers have moved on with Jordan Love, and this is the first real chance for Rodgers to show what he’s still capable of on a national stage. Expect plenty of pregame nostalgia, but once the ball gets snapped, it’s going to be all business.

No Turning Back Now

The Steelers didn’t mortgage the future; they rented a legend. If Rodgers still has top‑10 quarterback snaps in that right arm, Pittsburgh’s ceiling jumps from “wild‑card nuisance” to legitimate AFC dark horse. If he’s cooked, the worst‑case scenario is a one‑year detour and a clearer picture of the next franchise QB search.