Steelers Have Exactly What Is Needed To Unlock The Best Version Of Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the few teams throughout the NFL without a starting quarterback in place for the 2025 season, which is a big cause for concern. Pittsburgh struck out when it came to re-signing Justin Fields, and the organization also reportedly extended an offer to Sam Darnold. The franchise is still searching, with the top choice being Aaron Rodgers, who is still making his decision. 

Rodgers is a polarizing figure in the NFL world, especially because of how he has handled his tenure with the New York Jets. The veteran's two seasons in New York should be considered a failure. He suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season and then proceeded to act like he was coming back in order to stay in the news cycle. In 2024, the Jets did everything to accommodate Rodgers, yet the team fell well short of its goals. 

The veteran is often considered a distraction to his team. In 2024, he showed no fear in calling out teammates at the podium after a game, and his weekly appearances on The Pat McAfee Show were always entertaining, but he isn't known to filter his thoughts. This can present issues for whichever team he chooses to sign with which is precisely why ESPN analyst Louis Riddick believes Pittsburgh is the best place for Rodgers to land, which he said on The Rich Eisen Show.

"I think the best fit for [Rodgers] is a place where they don't bend to you." Riddick said. "You're going to fit into what they do, and that would require a place that has a very strong ownership group, strong general manager, strong head coach, and strong locker room and a tradition of being able to assimilate people who are very strong like Aaron Rodgers into their culture and have them buy in because they see the greater good, they see the benefit of the greater good. That's Pittsburgh."

Riddick believes the consistency in the front office and on the coaching staff would keep Rodgers' antics at bay. Pittsburgh is a historic organization with plenty of success in its past, and Rodgers should respect that enough to come in and understand he won't be calling any of the shots.

One of the main reasons Rodgers won't be able to treat Pittsburgh like he did New York is Head Coach Mike Tomlin. The Jets have been a mess for the last decade, and that just isn't the case with Tomlin in Pittsburgh. The fan base can complain all it wants, but the coach runs a stable ship with the Steelers. He has dealt with many volatile personalities before, and Riddick believes he can do it again.

"Mike can handle anyone, he's one of the most charismatic, respected individuals to ever walk the sidelines of an NFL team." Tomlin said. "Just listen to how his players talk about him, Aaron would buy into what they are doing. And Mike is going to take no crap from him."

Sometimes it seems like Tomlin prefers to coach some players that will give him a challenge. This seems to be the case with George Pickens, and pretty much every talented wide receiver Pittsburgh has drafted throughout his 18-year career with the Steelers. Now, the coach is recruiting Rodgers, who makes headlines nearly every week for how he acts and what he says.

Steelers Have The Best Chance To Win With Rodgers

A large portion of the fan base does not want to see Rodgers in the black and gold, but realistically, he gives Pittsburgh its best chance of being competitive. The quarterback had a rough year in 2024, but he was bouncing back from a serious Achilles injury. 

He got better as the season went along, and he really shined during the final six weeks of the season. Rodgers gives Pittsburgh its best shot of finally winning a playoff game, which is all the fan base has been asking for for the last eight seasons. 

What do you think about Riddick's analysis? Let us know in the comments below!

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