The Pittsburgh Steelers' 2025 season started off hot with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the black and gold for his 21st season in the league. Of course, Rodgers didn’t come to the Steel City with expectations of playing at an MVP level, but what he has brought to this team at 42 years old simply can’t be measured by statistics alone. His football IQ is through the roof, and it’s been evident in how smoothly the offense operates, from pre-snap adjustments to situational decision-making that consistently puts the Steelers in favorable positions.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks down at his play sheet while he watches practice in street clothes as the team works out during 2025 training camp at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
After back-to-back losses threatened to stall their momentum, Pittsburgh responded with three straight wins to climb to 9–6 on the season. That turnaround is largely due to the steady leadership of Rodgers, the unwavering presence of Head Coach Mike Tomlin, and, of course, Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith, who has gone to war trying to squeeze more production out of the unit. The offense hasn’t always been flashy, but it has become far more calculated, efficient, and difficult to defend when it matters most.
One package Smith leaned on heavily during the season was the six-offensive-lineman and jumbo tight end looks, designed to bully defenses and create favorable matchups in the run game and play-action. However, Rodgers recently acknowledged that opposing teams began to catch on, forcing the Steelers to adjust on the fly. That willingness to evolve midseason, guided by a veteran quarterback who sees the field as well as anyone in NFL history, has been a major reason why Pittsburgh finds itself playing its best football when it matters most.
"Well, it's a little bit of both I would say," Rodgers said while speaking to the Steelers media on Wednesday. "I said it when we played in Ireland and kind of introduced Spencer [Anderson] being the sixth offensive lineman. That has kind of gone around the league and once it's gone around the league, people are figuring out how to attack it best, and so you have to adapt and adjust. One of our adjustments to that has been more 11 personnel. Obviously that has coincided with [Marquez Valdes-Scantling] and Adam [Thielen] playing more snaps for us. Just the stability that they bring from an X's and O's standpoint... it's been good to us and it's been productive for us."
The jumbo package did well for the Steelers earlier in the season, but as Rodgers pointed out, Smith felt it had become stale and stagnant. That realization prompted the coaching staff to get creative, leading to a shift in offensive philosophy.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith (right) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
Pittsburgh began incorporating more 11 personnel, with one running back and one tight end, into the offense, giving Rodgers more flexibility to spread the field, create mismatches, and take advantage of his play-action prowess.
"Arthur [Smith] is always gonna mix it up, you know conventional warfare," Rodgers said. "There's just not as many snaps with Spencer [Anderson] as the sixth offensive lineman."
This transition has allowed the Steelers to diversify their attack, balancing power running with more versatile passing concepts. With Rodgers at the helm, the offense can now seamlessly transition between multiple formations, keeping defenses off balance and opening up opportunities downfield.
Steelers Have Been Making More Changes In 2025
Ultimately, the move away from heavy jumbo sets reflects a shift in the Steelers’ approach under Smith and Tomlin, who in the past were often criticized for not being willing to make changes.
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Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
With Rodgers guiding the offense, the coaching staff has been able to make adjustments more comfortably, trusting his experience and football IQ to help implement new ideas. By blending Rodgers’ insight with their own strategies, the Steelers have created a more adaptable offense that can evolve during the season, giving them a better chance to finish strong and make a push in the playoffs.
Can this team win a Super Bowl in the 2025 season? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments below! Please feel free to share your Steelers takes with me on X @anthonyghalkias and follow me. I will respond!
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