Aaron Rodgers’ move to the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season is a gamble, and much of its success hinges on his ability to mesh with the locker room, especially given his recent history of strained relationships with younger teammates. Former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Tom Clements, a longtime Rodgers ally, is optimistic. “The guys that played with him or have played with him for a long time, they can’t say enough good things about him,” Clements said on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan. “He’s a very good teammate.” But Rodgers’ tenure with the Packers and Jets tells a different story.
Reports from December 2022 detailed how he allegedly quizzed Green Bay wide receivers on hand signals, and his relationship with Jets receiver Garrett Wilson reportedly never clicked. His mentorship of Zach Wilson soured after Rodgers’ Achilles injury in 2023, though current Packers QB Jordan Love has spoken highly of what he learned from Rodgers.
Now, Rodgers joins a Pittsburgh quarterback room with backup Mason Rudolph, 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson. Clements believes Rodgers will be a mentor, drawing from his own experience backing up Brett Favre, who didn’t attend offseason programs. “If there’s a young quarterback in the room, he’s very good at mentoring them and helping them along,” Clements said. “He’s good with the young guys. He’s good with the old guys. The guys who play with him love him.” The key for Pittsburgh is whether Rodgers can deliver at least one postseason victory. If he doesn’t, this experiment could be seen as a waste of time, with the Steelers likely back in the market for a long-term solution next spring. Stay tuned, because this story’s got legs, and for Rodgers, it’s about proving he’s still got it, both on and off the field. The Steelers’ faith in him is a risk, but if it pays off, it could redefine their franchise.
