The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to be the final team in the running for Aaron Rodgers, but despite offering him a shot at the playoffs — and possibly more — it might not be enough to sway him.
During an appearance on The Herd with Colin Cowherd on FOX Sports 1, The Athletic’s Dianna Russini echoed Cowherd’s sentiment that Pittsburgh may not be the right fit for Rodgers, who’s still holding off on making a decision. According to Russini, the reason is simple: Rodgers wants to win a Super Bowl in 2025, and he may not believe the Steelers can get him there.
Who might he be holding out for? Russini speculates it could be the Minnesota Vikings. While Minnesota seems committed to rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, they haven’t completely ruled out the possibility of pursuing Rodgers.
“Minnesota still needs to evaluate what they’ve got,” said Russini. “I agree with you — Rodgers is waiting for that perfect situation, somewhere he can step in like Tom Brady did in Tampa and contend immediately. I just don’t think the Steelers are that team. The Vikings, on the other hand, are built to win.”
Supporting that theory, CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala added that Rodgers is “more likely to retire than sign with a non-contender,” reinforcing the belief that he doesn’t view the Steelers as capable of winning a Super Bowl in 2025.
To be fair, Pittsburgh isn’t a terrible landing spot. They made the playoffs last year despite subpar quarterback play, recently added DK Metcalf to join George Pickens at receiver, and boast a strong defense.
Still, the Vikings — coming off a 14-3 season — may have the edge. Their defense is elite, and their offensive weapons, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, make them a more appealing team for a veteran quarterback looking to win now.
Rodgers hasn’t revealed his thoughts publicly, but the fact he hasn’t committed to Pittsburgh speaks volumes. If he truly believed they gave him a real shot at a championship, he likely would’ve already signed.
Without Rodgers, the Steelers are left in a tough spot. They currently don’t have a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster, and viable alternatives through trades or free agency are scarce. Drafting a QB remains an option, but there’s no assurance that a rookie would be ready to deliver results right away — if at all.
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