The 2025 NFL schedule has officially dropped, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are set for an exciting season with four prime-time matchups lined up. This has sparked chatter across the league, with fans speculating whether the NFL may have insider knowledge regarding the team’s quarterback situation, particularly concerning Aaron Rodgers, who remains undecided on his future.
As it stands, the Steelers have not named their starting quarterback for the upcoming season, and the potential for Rodgers donning the iconic black and gold has fans buzzing. However, if Rodgers opts for a different path, longtime backup Mason Rudolph is poised to step in as the starter.
Despite the speculation, NFL scheduling executive Mike North cleared the air, emphasizing that the league isn’t privy to any more information about Rodgers than the average fan. In his view, the Steelers and head coach Mike Tomlin earned these prime-time games due to their historical significance and competitive edge, not solely because of the possibility of having Rodgers under center. “We tried to play it down the middle,” North stated, underlining that the decision was rooted in the Steelers’ longstanding legacy. He added, “The schedule was built for Coach Tomlin and for the Steelers.”
Week 1 will see the Steelers face off against the New York Jets, which immediately ignites the Rodgers narrative since he played for New York over the past two seasons. Later in the season, the Steelers will take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 8 on Sunday Night Football—another matchup that adds an intriguing layer, given Rodgers’ storied 18 seasons with the Packers. North explained that they intentionally placed this game in a prime window for maximum exposure. “If it fell on a Sunday afternoon, for instance, it becomes a dominant story of the day,” he noted, referencing the potential excitement of Rodgers facing his former team.
Even if Rodgers isn’t on the field, North asserts that the Steelers-Packers clash remains a captivating showdown with plenty of storylines. “If Aaron’s not the quarterback, it’s still Packers-Steelers Sunday Night Football in Week 8. It sounds like a football game,” he said, reinforcing the matchup’s enduring appeal.
In addition to these legacies, the Steelers will also feature in other prime-time games, including Thursday Night Football against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 7, Sunday Night Football versus the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 10, and Monday Night Football facing off against the Miami Dolphins in Week 15.
With this schedule, the Steelers are poised to be a focal point in the upcoming season, and fans can’t help but feel the excitement brewing—whether it’s with Rodgers at the helm or Rudolph leading the charge. Buckle up, because the 2025 season is set to deliver plenty of action under the Friday night lights.
