The Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing to face the Houston Texans in the Wild Card round of the 2025 NFL playoffs. The Steelers are looking to snap a near 10-year playoff win drought on Monday in Pittsburgh in front of their fans, a sight that the black and gold faithful would gladly welcome. The one word that has stuck out all week in the locker room is belief. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers particularly mentioned this on Sunday night following the Steelers' win over the Baltimore Ravens that clinched them the AFC North. Rodgers understands that the Steelers can finally end their playoff winning drought in 2025.
Alysa Rubin / Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025 in Pittsburgh, PA.
Rodgers was asked about the 2025 season in Pittsburgh as well as the playoff drought the Steelers are currently in. He has mentioned that he feels as if joining the Steelers was the right decision. KDKA-TV sports anchor Bob Pompeani and former Steelers linebacker Arthur Moats hosted a playoff preview special ahead of the team's tilt against the Texans and that is where they showed Rodgers delivering the perfect answer as the Steelers enter the 2025 playoffs.
"I care about winning," Rodgers said. "That's why I'm here. That's why I love the Monday to Saturday grind and you know stats are what they are. The trends are what they are and those trends are — any trend is always meant to be broken at some point. So hopefully we can do that."
This playoff appearance will be Rodgers' first postseason appearance since 2021. The 42-year-old four-time NFL MVP has the experience at the quarterback position coaches want at this time of the year, especially when every possession becomes magnified in these do-or-die games. Rodgers' comments both back the belief he has had in his team as he mentioned not worrying about trends, while also showing he is bought in to this group and its success rather than stats.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers looking to pass in the Steelers Week 18 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 season
Steelers Enter The Playoffs With Chip On Their Shoulders
The Steelers enter this postseason with a chip on their shoulder. The locker room is well aware of the playoff drought the franchise has endured, but Rodgers' attitude towards it shows the group is focused on finally breaking through against Houston. Rodgers' numbers weren't as good on paper in 2025 compared to his 2024 season with the New York Jets.
Rodgers' 24 touchdowns in 2025 were four less than what he had during the 2024 campaign with New York, and he also passed for almost 600 yards less than his 2024 season. However, as Rodgers eluded to, the stats are what they are and he is poised to lead the Steelers in the postseason. Rodgers showed flashes of his old self in the Steelers' Week 18 win over the Ravens as well. He turned back the clock by going 31-for-47 for 294 yards and a touchdown.
While the lone touchdown may stand out, it came in a clutch moment when Rodgers found Calvin Austin III wide open along the sideline for a 26-yard touchdown with 55 seconds remaining on the clock. Rodgers' numbers may have dipped in 2025, but he certainly has come up clutch in big-time moments and games for the Steelers during the 2025 season. That is what stands out as the Steelers enter the playoffs and should have Steelers fans optimistic with Rodgers as the signal-caller.
Taylor Ollason / Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers wide receiver Ben Skowronek (15) and Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during a regular season matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens.
Rodgers' experience as well as his ability to make plays when needed most have been the differences this season compared to Steelers teams of recent years. The Steelers' last two playoff losses have come with Russell Wilson and Mason Rudolph at quarterback.
One difference between those quarterbacks and Rodgers is neither of them have an NFL MVP award, while Rodgers has four to his name. Rodgers has a different and refreshing look as the Steelers' quarterback, one with the intangibles that Pittsburgh has lacked at that position. Those intangibles are what should have fans optimistic that Rodgers is the right guy to finally have the belief the Steelers can break through and end their postseason drought.
Do you think Rodgers is finally the right guy at quarterback to end the Steelers postseason skid? Let us know in the comments below!
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