As speculation continues to swirl around Aaron Rodgers’ potential return and a rumored connection to the Pittsburgh Steelers, one ESPN NFL analyst isn’t buying into the hype.
Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up, Dan Graziano offered a sobering perspective on the four-time MVP’s current abilities – and a cautionary message to the Steelers’ front office.
“Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that’s their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that,” Graziano bluntly stated.
Graziano didn’t stop there. He compared Rodgers’ recent play unfavorably to other quarterbacks, including Pittsburgh’s own Mason Rudolph.
“He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. … I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn’t.”
The question now facing Pittsburgh is whether waiting on the 41-year-old Rodgers is a worthwhile gamble.
The Steelers have yet to solidify their quarterback room, which currently features Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard.
Pittsburgh’s quarterback situation has remained unsettled since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement in 2022.
Missed opportunities to acquire or develop a franchise signal-caller have hindered what many believe is a playoff-caliber roster.
Whether or not Rodgers ends up in black and gold, Graziano’s message is clear: the version of Aaron Rodgers that once dominated the NFL may no longer exist – and the Steelers would be wise to plan accordingly.
What are your thoughts on Graziano’s harsh comments? … Do you agree with him that Rodgers will be a shell of his former self if and when he signs with Pittsburgh???
