The Pittsburgh Steelers have Aaron Rodgers on the roster, but it doesn't mean a Super Bowl is waiting. Rodgers appears to be heading into his final season as an NFL quarterback, and the Steelers hope he can turn back the clock and return to his previous MVP form. The Steelers are hopeful he can break their playoff drought, but no one in Steelers Nation should get their hopes up.
Mike Tomlin spearheaded signing the former MVP to maintain mediocrity in Pittsburgh.
Adding Rodgers was their only option after they failed to retain Justin Fields. They could've rolled with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, but Tomlin cannot help himself. He must keep his non-losing season streak alive. Rodgers should accomplish that task, and if they're lucky, he might squeak out a playoff victory. Anything beyond the "normal season" for Tomlin and company would be a success.
Aaron Rodgers isn't going to fix most of the Pittsburgh Steelers problems this season
Week 1: Steelers @ Jets
It'll be a fun time to see Rodgers and Fields try to disprove their former employers. It might be a close contest at different points, but the Steelers have the better roster. Fields has constantly turned over the football in his career and seemed to dial that back in Pittsburgh's risk-averse offense. Expect Fields to produce turnovers in New York and for Rodgers to be out for blood.
Prediction: Steelers win (1-0)
Week 2: Steelers vs. Seahawks
Sam Darnold will want to prove his doubters wrong from his lone year with the Vikings.
Seattle spent a lot of money on Darnold, but it's hard to ignore his prior struggles compared to last season. The Seahawks have a solid defense, which could keep this game tight. Pittsburgh needs to get off to a hot start during the season, which they can continue in front of their home field.
Prediction: Steelers win (2-0)
READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers could reshape the entire Steelers' 53-man roster projection
Week 3: Steelers @ Patriots
New England will show signs of improvement this year, but they won't be contenders. Pittsburgh is more experienced and should have a better roster. The Steelers have struggled in Foxborough over the past couple of decades, but Tom Brady is retired. Rodgers should be able to take advantage of a defense that has to grow. Pittsburgh's defense must make Drake Maye's life miserable.
Prediction: Steelers win (3-0)
Week 4: Steelers vs. Vikings (Ireland)
The hype train around Rodgers and the Steelers will be at an all-time high if they start this strong. Rodgers knows the NFC North well, and he should have some tidbits over his former rivals. The Minnesota Vikings have an elite roster, but the questions surrounding quarterback J.J. McCarthy will make or break their season. Add in the Ireland aspect, and this prediction could go either way.
Prediction: Steelers win (4-0)
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: Steelers vs. Browns
The Steelers come out of their bye week with a perfect record. They keep that rolling with a win over the Browns. Cleveland will pose some problems for Pittsburgh, but their lack of answers at the quarterback position outweighs whatever version of Rodgers the Steelers will witness. Expect the veteran quarterback to have a field day and for the Black and Gold defense to create chaos.
Prediction: Steelers win (5-0)
Week 7: Steelers @ Bengals (TNF)
The fun start to the season takes its first dip. Pittsburgh suffers its first loss of the year during a short week in a brutal divisional road game. The Steelers have struggled against Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, and that continues here.
Burrow and company will create fits for the secondary, and while Rodgers will give them a shot against a poor Cincinnati defense, that effort won't be enough.
Prediction: Steelers lose (5-1)
Week 8: Steelers vs. Packers (SNF)
If Rodgers could turn in every win of the season to ensure a victory over the Green Bay Packers in primetime, he'd take it. You better believe Rodgers will do his best to win this game one way or another. If he stays healthy, he will have this matchup circled on the calendar. Green Bay has the better team overall, but Rodgers should take his game to another level with something to prove.
Prediction: Steelers win (6-1)
Week 9: Steelers vs. Colts
After a couple of losses against the Indianapolis Colts in recent years, Pittsburgh is hoping to get back into the win column. The Colts have their issues at the quarterback position, with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones battling for the top spot. Rodgers is a better player than either of the Colts' quarterbacks, which should help Pittsburgh get back to dominating this series under Tomlin.
Prediction: Steelers win (7-1)
Week 10: Steelers @ Chargers (SNF)
Playing on the West Coast has never been a strength for the Steelers with Tomlin as their coach. He struggles, but they have won out there in recent years. The Los Angeles Chargers are a solid team with good coaching, which should lead to them making the playoffs.
The game, being on the other side of the country, consistently favors the home team in this instance.
Prediction: Steelers lose (7-2)
READ MORE: Steelers could strike gold with these potential preseason cuts
Week 11: Steelers vs. Bengals
Cincinnati might have a questionable defense, but they are a juggernaut on offense. Rodgers has proven that he can still sling the ball at his advanced age, but the odds of him matching Burrow's elite offense point for point are unlikely. Losing two battles against an AFC North rival in one season would be rough, but it's not difficult to imagine the Steelers losing two games against the Bengals.
Prediction: Steelers lose (7-3)
Week 12: Steelers @ Bears
Many experts are high on the Chicago Bears, but Rodgers will have this game highlighted on the calendar. He owned Chicago during his time with the Packers, and you better believe he wants to beat them one last time before he retires. Chicago has a lot of young talent on their team, but it might take another year or two before they have a shot at being considered Super Bowl contenders.
Prediction: Steelers win (8-3)
Week 13: Steelers vs. Bills
The reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen, comes to Pittsburgh to test where the Steelers are during their campaign. Unless Allen suffers an injury before this game, it's hard to imagine the home team having a chance to become victors. Allen will create plays with his arms and legs, which could lead to a sobering blowout loss for the Steelers.
This game could be one of the worst of the season.
Prediction: Steelers lose (8-4)
Week 14: Steelers @ Ravens
At some point during the grueling schedule, it's hard to imagine Rodgers not getting injured. He is playing in one of the most physical divisions in football at the ripe age of 41. He will probably miss a stretch of games during the season, which means Rudolph will have a chance to redeem himself. No one will imagine a win for the Steelers in Baltimore, but they at least keep it close in a slugfest.
Prediction: Steelers lose (8-5)
Week 15: Steelers vs. Dolphins (MNF)
In this prediction scenario, Rodgers would still be out with a week-to-week injury, and Rudolph should still be able to handle the Dolphins. It's a Monday night game when the city should be getting cold. The Miami Dolphins should look like fish out of water with the temperature change. Rudolph leads the Steelers to victory as they eagerly wait for Rodgers to come back to the field.
Prediction: Steelers win (9-5)
Week 16: Steelers @ Lions
A road game against the Detroit Lions used to be an easy win for most teams, but the Lions are a top favorite to make the Super Bowl this season. Rodgers is still out with injury, and Pittsburgh's offense is a disaster. Rudolph can't accomplish much, and Will Howard gets a shot in the fourth quarter. Detroit spanks the Steelers, and fans will be groaning that this is the same Tomlin-led outfit.
Prediction: Steelers lose (9-6)
Week 17: Steelers @ Browns
Rodgers is finally back in the lineup for the final two games of the season.
Tomlin might rush his return in hopes of turning things around in a hurry. It could be another snow-filled Cleveland environment for this contest. Pittsburgh's rushing attack picks up some steam, but a rusty Rodgers makes a few mistakes. The Browns find a way to get a victory behind a sloppy effort on both sides.
Prediction: Steelers lose (9-7)
Week 18: Steelers vs. Ravens
Win, and you're in, could be the scenario towards the end of the season for the Steelers. Baltimore probably locked up the division title by this point, which means their starters will be out of the lineup. Rodgers is near full health going into this game and should lead Pittsburgh to victory. Tomlin gets back into the playoffs with a healthy Rodgers to hopefully secure the team's first playoff win since 2017.
Prediction Steelers win: (10-7)