As Tuesday winds down, everyone is waiting to see what Aaron Rodgers will do in 2025. That includes the Pittsburgh Steelers. They’ve yet to address the quarterback situation and are actively watching their options dwindle. However, if they do prefer Rodgers, former NFL quarterback Dan Orlovsky thinks the Steelers are actually a good fit with the veteran quarterback.
“I think it’s much more of a seamless transition in Pittsburgh than it would be in New York, and certainly in Minnesota,” Orlovsky said on ESPN’s Get Up on Tuesday.
Aaron Rodgers must be prepared to make some sacrifices as a quarterback who will turn 42 during the 2025 season. He’s run the same type of offense throughout his career. If he were to sign in Pittsburgh, though, he’d be joined by Arthur Smith, whose offense has some differences and is predicated on the running game.
However, there are also similarities between the two. Smith likes to run the ball and use play-action off of that, which Aaron Rodgers can do well. Rodgers can also get the ball out of his hands quickly when needed. It helps to have talented receivers like the Steelers now have in DK Metcalf and George Pickens. Sometimes, all Rodgers would have to do is get the ball there and let them do the rest.
All things considered, though, Pittsburgh is simply running out of options. Rodgers is one of the last viable ones available. While he wouldn’t be a massive improvement, Orlovsky says Rodgers could open some things up on the Steelers’ offense.
“Do I think it’s a markedly improved offense? Not significant,” Orlovsky said. “I do think you could do more in your pass game than you did with Russell [Wilson]. Russell was a lot of ‘throw the ball down the field,’ one-on-one ‘go’ routes. I don’t think you’re gonna see a lot of that next year in Pittsburgh with those two receivers.”
Wilson had many good moments with the Steelers’ offense. However, aside from their thrashing of the Cincinnati Bengals early in his time as the starter, the offense never seemed fully unlocked. The Steelers stayed away from the middle of the field. If the deep ball or the quick passing game weren’t working, the Steelers struggled.
If signed, Aaron Rodgers could be a solid fit in the Steelers’ offense. He’ll be behind an offensive line with a lot of signs for encouragement going into 2025. Aside from Metcalf, he’d also have Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, who’s practically going into his rookie year. If the Steelers pick up a running back in the draft to wrap things up, they’d actually have a pretty talented unit.
Usually, a 41-year-old quarterback is not going to fix your franchise. If they can put the right pieces around Aaron Rodgers, though, Pittsburgh could see some success in 2025.
