After more than 80 days of speculation, questions, and cautious optimism, the Pittsburgh Steelers finally got their answer. Aaron Rodgers is officially on board. The four-time MVP and future Hall of Famer has agreed to a one-year deal to become the Steelers’ starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
This move does more than fill a glaring need under center. According to NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler, Rodgers’ arrival could immediately elevate one of Pittsburgh’s most exciting young talents: rookie running back Kaleb Johnson.
“When I talked to somebody with the Steelers last night about Rodgers, the first guy they mentioned was Kaleb Johnson,” Fowler revealed on NFL Live. “They believe he's going to make an instant impact.”
That comment resonated with me.
We’ve watched Pittsburgh’s offense struggle over the past few years, often due to instability at quarterback and overreliance on young or unproven weapons. Before Rodgers made his decision, the offense was shaping up to be powered by a young running back duo.
Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson—paired with either Mason Rudolph or rookie Will Howard at quarterback. That’s a tough recipe in today’s NFL, especially in a division as brutal as the AFC North.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense is better with Aaron Rodgers under center
But Rodgers changes everything.
His mere presence under center will force defenses to respect the pass, opening up lanes and loosening the box. That means more room for a powerful, elusive runner like Kaleb Johnson to find daylight.
During his college career, Johnson racked up 2,779 rushing yards and showed his versatility with an impressive 8.5 yards per reception. He’s a dual-threat back with the skill set to thrive in both phases of the game—and with Rodgers keeping defenses honest, he’ll have every opportunity to shine.
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What excites me the most is the environment Rodgers creates. Kaleb Johnson enters the league with the chance to learn from one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in NFL history. That’s not just good for development—it’s invaluable.
Rodgers is known for demanding excellence, but also for teaching. Johnson will benefit from the structure, preparation, and situational awareness Rodgers brings to the huddle.
Jeremy Fowler sees it, and I do too. Rodgers isn’t just a quarterback fix—he’s the catalyst for Kaleb Johnson to have a breakout rookie year. If that happens, Pittsburgh’s offense may surprise a lot of people in 2025.