I’ve spent this offseason watching the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense stripped down to studs. Russell Wilson is gone. Najee Harris is gone. Justin Fields is gone. With so much turnover, the team desperately needed a new backbone, a stabilizing force to guide a young, retooling unit.
At one point, it looked like that burden might fall on Mason Rudolph or rookie Will Howard. Frankly, that wasn’t fair to them—or to us.
Thankfully, Pittsburgh’s persistence paid off.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Steelers and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers will agree to terms on a one-year deal. While many will see this as a last-ditch effort to salvage the season, I see something much bigger: a well-timed masterstroke by the front office.
It isn’t about competition or intimidation. Rodgers isn’t just another depth chart addition designed to light a fire under young quarterbacks. This is mentorship in its purest form.
Rodgers brings an encyclopedia of experience, one that Mason Rudolph and Will Howard can learn from every single day.
He’s not the most athletic, but his decision-making, vision, and pocket poise are still elite. More importantly, they’re teachable.
Aaron Rodgers is a perfect quarterback to lead the Pittsburgh Steelers into the future
Pittsburgh knew what they were doing. The organization recognized that handing the keys to Howard or Rudolph would have been reckless. These are quarterbacks who need time to grow, not get thrown to the wolves in a pressure cooker like the AFC North.
That’s where Rodgers steps in—not just as a starter, but as the bridge, the mentor, and the teacher.
I believe Rodgers still has one more great season in him. If he delivers, he won’t just lead the Steelers to wins we wouldn’t have otherwise earned—he’ll also leave behind a legacy of guidance.
One year under his wing could shape Will Howard into a future franchise quarterback and give Rudolph the polish he’s been chasing for years.
When 2025 ends—and I do believe this will be Rodgers’ final chapter—it could mark the perfect passing of the torch. A successful season, a rebuilt offense, and a quarterback room better off than it’s been in a long time.
It’s a win-win. For Rodgers. For the Steelers. And for all of us fans who never stopped believing this franchise had a plan.