The Pittsburgh Steelers missed out on the first flurry of quarterback moves at the start of the legal tampering period. QB Justin Fields went to the Jets despite the Steelers’ overtures to return to Pittsburgh. QB Sam Darnold went to the Seattle Seahawks. However, one of the biggest names on the market, QB Aaron Rodgers, remains.
And by all accounts, the Steelers are in full pursuit of Rodgers. They aren’t the only ones, though. The New York Giants are reportedly talking with Rodgers as well. It could turn into a bidding war for the four-time NFL MVP. But which situation would be better for Rodgers as a player? And which situation would handle everything that comes along with Rodgers?
“I think he and Tomlin absolutely can coexist,” Rich Eisen said Tuesday on the Rich Eisen Show. “I don’t think it’s that ill of a fit that maybe those on the outside looking in would think. And if I’m Rodgers, I’m putting every ounce of my firepower to get there. That’s where I want to go, because they made the playoffs last year. It’s not a reclamation. They’re going to need somebody to feed the $33-million-a-year wide receiver.”
The Steelers make a certain degree of sense for Rodgers. Head coach Mike Tomlin doesn’t have losing seasons. He gets the team to compete year in and year out. Even a five-game losing streak can’t end his streak of non-losing seasons. Plus, the Steelers just acquired WR DK Metcalf to bolster their offense.
Now, it isn’t like the Giants are completely bereft of offensive talent. WR Malik Nabers had 109 catches for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in only 15 games last season as a rookie. WR Wan’Dale Robinson had 93 catches for 699 yards and three touchdowns. WR Darius Slayton was a name being bandied about for the Steelers before the Giants re-signed him (and the Steelers traded for Metcalf).
But the Giants went 3-14 last season with a mix of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito starting at quarterback. Obviously, that’s a pretty rough group of quarterbacks. But things are looking desperate in New Jersey for head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen. If the Giants have another miserable season in 2025, they’ll probably be on the outs with John Mara.
Perhaps Rodgers doesn’t want to be in another situation where the head coach is making decisions based on how hot his seat is getting. It’s quite a different story in Pittsburgh. There is zero question that the organization has full faith in Tomlin. Some would say the organization has too much faith.
But the Steelers are a model of consistency and stability. That’s why Eisen thinks that Aaron Rodgers should want to play for the Steelers. The team will be contending for the playoffs every season.
And the Steelers will want a quarterback who can throw the ball to their newest wide receiver. You don’t swing a big trade and reportedly agree to sign him to a massive extension if you don’t plan on him being a massive part of your game plan. Aaron Rodgers would be the best quarterback the Steelers have had since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
It wouldn’t be a long-term answer, but it is probably the move that has the highest ceiling for taking advantage of DK Metcalf in 2025. Otherwise, the Steelers could turn back to QB Russell Wilson. And at the end of the day, in almost every situation, money talks.
