With the 2025 NFL season looming, the Pittsburgh Steelers still find themselves without a clear answer at quarterback.
While speculation continues to swirl around the possibility of Aaron Rodgers joining the team, each passing day without a decision casts further doubt on that outcome – and raises concerns about what kind of player the Steelers would even be getting at this point.
To many fans, it’s tempting to imagine the future Hall of Famer under center in Pittsburgh, even urging him to sign despite a growing list of hesitations.
But there are certainly concerns about Rodgers’ overall commitment to football. And for a franchise with playoff ambitions, that kind of uncertainty might be too much to gamble on.
On that note, Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger has weighed in, expressing some cautious skepticism about the timing of it all.
“He’s an incredibly smart, smart man. So, do I think he could pick [the offense] up? Absolutely,” Roethlisberger said.
“But there’s also something to be said about being on the field with guys at practice, to see how guys run routes, to do things, to communicate, to let them hear your voice in the huddle, to hear your cadence, to hear your audibles, all that stuff.”
Rodgers’ recent track record doesn’t inspire confidence when it comes to off-season engagement.
His decision to skip key workouts last year with the Jets – including a high-profile trip to Egypt during mandatory minicamp – raised many eyebrows.
While it’s hard to quantify the impact, New York’s offense never found rhythm, and the team underperformed relative to its talent.
The Steelers, for their part, can’t afford a similar fate. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith may not run the most complex system in the league, but his scheme does rely heavily on chemistry, timing, and shared reps – none of which can be built from afar.
“The coach and you need to get on the same page, so that when coach is calling plays, he knows what you like and don’t like,” Roethlisberger continued.
“And then when you’re changing things, he understands why you’re changing it and what you’re changing it to.”
Rodgers’ prolonged indecision could very well be legitimate. He’s hinted that he’s dealing with something serious in his personal life.
Having said that, there are many who feel it’s practically a foregone conclusion that Rodgers ends up in Pittsburgh no matter what.
At this point, one thing is clear: any version of Rodgers who joins the team late in the process – without the benefit of early practices, playbook study, or leadership reps – won’t be the best version of himself.
What are your thoughts on Big Ben’s comments? … At the end of the day, what do you think ends up happening with Rodgers???
