How Would Aaron Rodgers Coming To The AFC Impact The Steelers Chances Of Making The Playoffs?

The NFL is a league that is constantly changing, with new players and coaches coming in and out of teams all the time, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are no different. However, there are some moves that have the potential to completely shake up the entire league, and one of those moves could be Aaron Rodgers being traded to the New York Jets.

Rodgers has been the starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers since 2008 and has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He has won two MVP awards, a Super Bowl ring and has led the league in touchdown passes twice. However, at this point in his career, it may be beneficial for both sides to move on. ESPN Insider Dianna Russian dropped a bombshell of a tweet this morning, indicating that Rodgers may be a Jet sooner rather than later. 

How Does This Affect The Steelers? 

1. The Jets could become immediate contenders. 

The New York Jets have struggled to find their quarterback of the future for what seems like since Joe Namath retired, but adding Rodgers to the fold could change that in a big way. He would provide immediate stability at the quarterback position to a pretty talented roster. The Jets have a number of young talented players on the offensive side of the ball such as wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis as well as running back Breece Hall. 

Rodgers would help elevate the play of other players on the Jets' roster, making them a more complete team. The Jets would still have to address other areas of their team, such as their offensive line and defense, but having Rodgers at quarterback would put them in a much better position to compete in an immensely competitive AFC.

2. The balance of power in the AFC East could shift dramatically. 

The AFC East has been dominated by the Buffalo Bills over the past few seasons, but with the addition of Rodgers, the division becomes that much more competitive. The entire balance of power in the AFC East could shift dramatically. The Jets nearly made the playoffs last season with a trio of quarterbacks in Zach Wilson, Mike White and Joe Flacco. One would have to imagine that the Jets would have very easily made the playoffs this past season with Rodgers at the helm and perhaps would have even challenged for the AFC title. 

3. The rich get richer. 

The number of talented young quarterbacks in the AFC is remarkable. From Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow, to Trevor Lawrence, Justin Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa, there has never been a time in the history of the NFL where a single conference has had the immense amount of talent at the quarterback position that the AFC currently has. In terms of how Rodgers coming to the Jets would affect the Steelers' young signal caller in Kenny Pickett, it would make it that much more difficult to find a path to the NFL playoffs. 

The Steelers already play in arguably the best division in football. Their chances of winning the AFC North this year are questionable, and the team most often finds themselves battling for a wild card spot at the end of the season. With Rodgers coming aboard in New York, the Steelers' quest to make the big dance becomes significantly more difficult. 

For the sake of the argument, let's pretend the AFC Division winners for the 2023 season are the Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs. That leaves the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, LA Chargers and the Pittsburgh Steelers vying for the three wild card spots. No disrespect to the other AFC teams, except the Cleveland Browns. 

How Would You Feel About Aaron Rodgers Coming To The New York Jets, SteelerNation?

Does the addition of Rodgers immediately make the Jets a Super Bowl Contender? How do you feel this move would affect the Steelers' chances of making the playoffs? Let's hear it in the comments! 

#SteelerNation