The Pittsburgh Steelers have long demonstrated an uncanny ability to stay competitive, no matter what.
While they may not be legitimate Super Bowl contenders every year, you can bet that they will always be in the playoff mix and will certainly always be a thorn in your side.
Over the last two-plus decades, the team has alternated between championship contention behind future Hall of Famer Ben Roethlisberger, and building playoff-caliber squads with less heralded names under center.
This season, Pittsburgh took a gamble on two quarterbacks – Russell Wilson and Justin Fields – acquired for minimal cost.
The move has paid off, with the team boasting an 8-2 record and sole possession of the AFC North through Week 11.
However, the futures of both Wilson and Fields in Pittsburgh remain uncertain, with neither guaranteed to return next year.
While Wilson has exceeded expectations to this point, Mike Tomlin and the front office will undoubtedly search for any potential upgrades at the position.
This precarious situation has sparked speculation about the Steelers’ next quarterback move, and Aaron Rodgers of the New York Jets has emerged as a potential target.
As a matter of fact, Wendell Ferreira of A to Z Sports called Pittsburgh the “most likely” landing spot for Rodgers if the Jets part ways with the four-time MVP following this season.
“This is the most likely option outside of the Jets. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are both free agents in 2025, so the Steelers will really need to look at their options. Maybe Wilson wants to stay, but he would certainly be much more expensive than he is now,” Ferreira reported.
“Rodgers probably wanted more control, and that’s why he went to the Jets after years with the [Green Bay] Packers. But it didn’t work, so going to a franchise where he would be the quarterback, and nothing beyond that, with a respected head coach in Mike Tomlin would make sense.”
Needless to say, the Rodgers experiment with the Jets has been one of the biggest failures in NFL history.
The recent revelation that owner Woody Johnson suggested benching Rodgers following their Week 4 loss to Denver has no doubt angered him. (It would be foolish to downplay this nugget.)
With both the head coach and general manager now fired, it’s clear the Jets are staring at a complete rebuild.
Meanwhile, the mutual respect between Rodgers and Tomlin has always been clear as day. The two love each other. (This is another aspect that would be foolish to downplay.)
While Wilson and Fields have managed to secure wins this season, neither has locked up the Steelers’ long-term plans at quarterback.
Wilson, turning 36 later this month, and Rodgers, who will celebrate his 41st birthday in December, are far from ideal candidates to build around for the future.
Fields, at just 25 years old, might have been seen as a potential franchise cornerstone. However, his inability to definitively claim the starting job over Wilson – despite winning two-thirds of his starts – raises doubts about his role with the team beyond 2024.
Wilson is enjoying a bit of a resurgence in Pittsburgh.
While it’s clear his best football is well behind him, Mr. Unlimited looks much more like the Seattle version than the Denver version.
By all accounts, Wilson is very well-liked in the locker room and team has rallied behind him. Again, this is the polar opposite of what happened in Denver.
If Wilson agrees to return on an affordable short-term deal, it could provide the stability Pittsburgh needs. If not, the Steelers could indeed pursue another veteran “win-now” quarterback (like Rodgers).
The four-time MVP is currently under contract with the Jets through 2025 and carries a base salary of just $2.5 million next season.
This makes him a potentially low-risk acquisition for the Steelers, whether by trade or via free agency if New York opts to release him.
What are your thoughts on the Rogers-to-Pittsburgh rumors???
