Former Super Bowl Champion Gives Steelers' QB Target Aaron Rodgers Stern Wake-Up Call

The Pittsburgh Steelers are stuck in a holding pattern when it comes to veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old does not have many options, but he could surprise everyone throughout the football world and decide to retire. This would upset the fan base in the Steel City, mainly because there is no legitimate starting option on the roster, with all due respect to Mason Rudolph. Some in the media have taken no issue at all to Rodgers taking his time with his decision, while others think it may be having an effect on how the franchise is approaching the 2025 NFL Draft.

Rodgers is not one to care about what anyone is saying about him, but it is interesting to hear the thoughts of those with football experience. Former Super Bowl champion wide receiver Julian Edelman talked about the situation on an episode of his Dudes on Dudes podcast that came out on Thursday. He believes that Rodgers is making a mistake by taking so much time to choose his next team, if he is intending to play.

"If I was Aaron Rodgers, I wouldn't want to get into the same predicament as I got into with the [New York] Jets," Edelman said. "You get there kind of late, you don't really practice that much, and all of a sudden, the season comes and we're not looking like we need to be looking because we're not on the same page."

Back in the 2023 offseason, Rodgers took some time to contemplate his future and eventually was traded to the New York Jets. He tore his Achilles on the first possession of that season, so no one is quite sure what could have been that year. Then, in 2024, he famously missed the team's mandatory minicamp because he was on a trip to Egypt. The Jets ended up finishing with a record of 5-12.

Edelman gave the advice of signing much sooner rather than later, so the veteran can begin to get up to speed with his new teammates. The retired wideout noted how the quarterback played great football in 2024, but well into the season, potentially proving that it took too long to get on the same page as the rest of the offense.

"Wherever he's gonna sign, I would sign as soon as possible so you can learn the players around the team that you're gonna be playing with," Edelman said. "If you watch last year, on the Jets, I think Week 8 on, Aaron Rodgers played pretty d**n good football. That's because he started to learn his players, I feel."

Edelman has a good point. It can take an extremely long time for any quarterback, regardless of experience, to understand the players that surround him in an offense. Building any kind of rapport earlier in an offseason can be pivotal to a successful start to the regular season. Hopefully Rodgers feels as if this is important and tells the Steelers much sooner than the week of the draft.

Edelman had the luxury of playing with the best quarterback of all time in Tom Brady. He understands how important it is for any signal-caller to have a strong connection with his teammates. His thoughts on the podcast reveal what a lot of fans may have been thinking in recent weeks. Dragging this decision on longer is only hurting everyone in the Steelers' building.

Steelers Can't Afford For Offense To Start Slow At The Beginning Of The 2025 Regular Season 

Pittsburgh has not had a truly formidable offense in some time. There have only been a few flashes of top-notch play since the 2022 campaign kicked off, which is certainly concerning. If Rodgers can agree to play in the Steel City, sign his contract, and immediately start connecting with the offensive play-makers, it could make for a much easier transition for everyone. Edelman is spot on with his small little wake-up call to the future Hall of Famer.

Do you think that Rodgers taking his time could somehow affect the beginning of the season if he plays for the Steelers? Let us know in the comments below!

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