It seems the NFL schedule makers are toying with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That is, unless they know something we don't.
According to leaked games hours before the NFL officially releases the entire 2025 schedule, the Steelers will open the coming season at MetLife Stadium for a date with former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields and the New York Jets.
Naturally, the football world now wonders if this is a sign that the Steelers do have a verbal agreement with Rodgers. Unfortunately, if that isn't the case, Mike Tomlin, Omar Khan, and the entire Steelers front office will look like fools heading into their Week 1 contest.
Steelers’ Week 1 clash with New York Jets puts Aaron Rodgers saga in the spotlight
For months, Steelers fans have been divided on whether the future Hall of Fame quarterback should or will join the franchise. But with the season starting against his most recent former team, it's understandable if fans and media talking heads will start to get antsy for an answer. The only issue is that now they expect a certain answer.
Sure, once the Steelers and Jets kick off their 2025 campaign against each other, only the play on the field can determine the outcome. Pittsburgh, with its stout defense, will likely be favored regardless. After all, Fields wasn't a world-beater with Chicago or Pittsburgh, and there is little inclination that he'll become one in his first outing with Gang Green.
Nonetheless, if Rodgers isn't wearing black and gold on Sunday, September 7, fans outside of Pittsburgh will laugh as Mason Rudolph takes the field. Steelers fans will be facing a wide range of emotions: excitement, contempt, and frustration, both for what is and what could have been. Then, should the Steelers lose because of Rudolph's shortcomings, the fan base's impatience will be officially worn out.
Can Steelers fans Trust Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan's QB strategy?
Pittsburgh is only redeemed in this scenario if that verbal agreement exists. There's no shame in going all in on Aaron Rodgers, even with his swirling storm of controversy. However, the fan base's scepticism over Tomlin and Khan's vision for the 2025 season, with or without Rodgers, is also wholly justified. After all, the Steelers put themselves in this position because they went all in on Aaron Rodgers.
The fan base is also justified in their frustrations for just how in the dark they are in this situation. Make no mistake, the NFL is a business, and fans aren't necessarily due any sort of explanation. But as we learn what the 2025 season holds in store for the Steelers, it's all the more frustrating that the fan base doesn't know who the starting quarterback will be, nor that they can trust whoever it is will finally bring the franchise a simple playoff victory.
That all gets amplified with Pittsburgh being at the forefront of media discussions now that we know who their Week 1 opponent is. Until the football world has its answers on the Steelers-Rodgers fiasco, and specifically the answer that Rodgers will be the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025, the football world will keep laughing.