When the Pittsburgh Steelers essentially swapped Russell Wilson in 2024 for Aaron Rodgers in 2025, fans were certain the change at quarterback would lead to more success. Wilson crumbled down the final stretch of the season. And though Rodgers led the New York Jets to just five wins in 17 games, he at least put up respectable numbers last year.
Rodgers' 2025 season started with a bang. In a 34-32 win over his former team, the 41-year-old quarterback completed 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns for a 136.7 passer rating. The four-time MVP quarterback would start his Steelers campaign by winning four of his first five games.
But after crossing the halfway point of the season, Rodgers has played some of the worst football of his career... and the parallels between Rodgers and Wilson have become eerie.
The Pittsburgh Steelers may have another Russell Wilson on their hands in Aaron Rodgers
Just like Rodgers, Wilson led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-1 record in his first five starts in 2024. After a disheartening loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday Night Football last year, Wilson had Steelers fans fooled when he went 29 of 38 for 414 yards and three touchdowns in a 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.
However, Wilson's age began to show in his seventh game with Pittsburgh.
Though the Steelers defeated the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, it was all on the defense, as Wilson chipped in just 15 completions on 26 attempts for a mere 158 yards while tossing two scores. From there, the 36-year-old Wilson would lose his next five games (including Pittsburgh's pitiful playoff loss to the Ravens). During this final five-game stretch, he led the Steelers' offense to just 14.0 points per game.
Unfortunately, we are already seeing Aaron Rodgers follow suit.
While Rodgers' 18 passing touchdowns seem impressive on paper entering Week 11, this is largely because of the Steelers' inability to punch the football in on the ground. Just like Wilson's winning ways ended after his first seven starts for Pittsburgh, Rodgers has led his team to a 1-3 record after his first five starts.
Russell Wilson vs. Aaron Rodgers on the #Steelers: pic.twitter.com/ORtMPyHCwb
— Tommy Jaggi (@TommyJaggi) November 11, 2025
READ MORE: Aaron Rodgers' future with Steelers is now painfully obvious
What's worse is that Rodgers is averaging fewer yards per game than Wilson did on the Steelers (205.9 to 229.6), and Rodgers' passing success rate (43.5 percent) is nearly identical to Wilson's during his one-year stint in Pittsburgh (43.6 percent). Even the two quarterbacks' passer ratings were similar, with the Steelers (97.2 for Rodgers, 95.6 for Wilson).
Rodgers and Wilson have different play styles, but sadly, Rodgers has almost followed Wilson's exact footsteps last season with the Steelers. This feels like a bad case of déjà vu for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. Let's hope this trend doesn't continue.