The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to take on the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, but many fans are already thinking about the 2025 season. Pittsburgh's 2024 season seems to be a lost cause after ending the regular season on a four-game losing streak, and the team is serious underdogs as they will head to Baltimore. Russell Wilson has struggled as of late, and with him and Justin Fields not under contract in 2025, the future of the quarterback position in Pittsburgh is a mystery.
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Steelers' Russell Wilson and Justin Fields warming up before a game in 2024.
Both Fields and Wilson have seen some success at quarterback for the Steelers, but neither has a future in Pittsburgh that is guaranteed. The organization will have to weigh the options of bringing either quarterback back in 2025, while also evaluating options in the NFL Draft, through free agency, and the trade market.
According to critically acclaimed sportswriter Peter King, an option for Pittsburgh moving forward is future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, which he mentioned on the Lets Go! podcast.
"I think we have seen Russell Wilson hit a wall," King said. "Whether Mike Tomlin is even thinking about, I'm sure he's not right now, thinking about 2025. They got a playoff game coming up, but if I were the Pittsburgh Steelers, knowing that I've got Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, I've got guys on defense with their expiration dates not long in the future. I would want to come in and try to get a quarterback who can make me competitive with Baltimore and Cincinnati in 2025. That guy to me would be Aaron Rodgers."
King isn't the first member of the media to float out the idea of Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh. Rodgers is coming off of one of the worst seasons in his career with the New York Jets. He tore his Achilles in his first season with the organization in 2023, and the quarterback left a lot to be desired in 2024. He didn't play great, but the Jets organization was also in complete disarray throughout the season. New York fired its head coach after a 2-3 start to the year, and wound up finishing the season with just five wins.
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New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers stands in front of the media during his introductory press conference in May of 2023 after being traded to the organization.
The veteran quarterback obviously had a fabulous career with the Green Bay Packers, even beating the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV. Rodgers is 41-years old and has certainly lost a step, but he is one of the most experienced and successful quarterbacks to ever play the game. He is currently under contract with New York through the 2025 season, but the organization seems like it wants to restart after firing both its head coach and general manager in the same season. This likely means it will part ways with Rodgers, either by releasing the quarterback or trading him.
There is also the chance that the quarterback decides to retire during the 2025 offseason. After what had to of been a tough and strenuous season in New York, he may decide his days of playing football are over.
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Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger with Aaron Rodgers after a game.
Steelers Bringing In Aaron Rodgers Doesn't Make Much Sense If The Organization Wants To Win Now
King's reasoning for Pittsburgh potentially pursuing Rodgers was so the team could stay competitive with the Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals within the AFC North. However, Rodgers was the quarterback of a five-win team in 2024. His offense was full of weapons like Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, and Davante Adams for most of the season. He couldn't find a ton of success there, with a defense that also has multiple stars.
It is not a sure-fire conclusion that Pittsburgh would succeed with Rodgers at the helm. His best days are clearly behind him, and Pittsburgh is likely better off with a younger quarterback like Fields or another option.
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