5 reasons the Steelers shouldn’t be hyped with Aaron Rodgers’ signing

The NFL is as unpredictable as a sports league can be. That’s why one signing can change it all. Ask Tampa Bay fans when they signed Tom Brady. However, if the Pittsburgh Steelers think Aaron Rodgers can have the same effect on them, they’re in for a rather bitter treat. This piece explains why, even though it’s an upgrade at QB, Pittsburgh’s fate might be the same as always, a quick, one-game playoff appearance.

Let’s just say that even if Rodgers is not in his prime, he is still way, way better than every other QB in the Steelers. Having said so, Rodgers is not what he was five years ago. He is now 41 years old and father time is almost undefeated (Tom Brady must certainly beat it).

It’s understandable that Rodgers causes some sort of hype. Steelers fans were dreading the day where their best QB was Mason Rudolph. An aging Rodgers is better than lots of QBs, including the ones under contract in Pittsburgh. But well, here’s why they shouldn’t be overly confident in what Rodgers can do.

Aaron Rodgers is not Tom Brady

Don’t get it twisted. Judged purely on talent, Rodgers can be over pretty much anyone in the history of the NFL. Not being Tom Brady is more of a timing and intangibles thing. Timing because, if we wanted to compare Brady’s arrival at Tampa (or even Matthew Stafford’s at the Rams), we have to consider other things. For example, Brady and Stafford were still delivering big seasons. Also, they went to offensive-based teams with great play-callers.

As for the obvious, Brady was still at a high level and his mentality is clearly stronger than Rodgers’. Not to mention, he went injury-free and his team was literally missing a QB to go for the Super Bowl.

The Steelers roster needs way more than just Rodgers

Pittsburgh has a great defense and a top-tier head coach in Mike Tomlin. However, Rodgers has nothing to do with those factors. He is the quarterback, so what are his weapons? The Steelers lost both their WR1 and RB1 last season. While George Pickens is now in Dallas, Najee Harris went to sunny L.A. to play for the Chargers.

This leaves Rodgers with a completely overhauled offense. His best wide receiver now is D.K. Metcalf. He comes from Seattle and, even though his talent is unquestioned, he lost relevance in the Seahawks’ offense. Rodgers will also throw to Calvin Austin III, who’s more known for his kick returning prowess than receiving output. From then on, veterans Robert Woods and Scotty Miller will serve as the other wide receivers.

His tight ends are good, though. Pat Freiermuth is a very talented player and Darnell Washington is a reliable target too. RB Jaylen Warren has excelled as a checkdown option, but now is the main guy in the running department, so his snaps as a pass-catcher might be limited.

Steelers have done the same with good and bad QBs

This might be heartbreaking for Steelers’ fans, but having a top-tier QB has bought them the exact same result than having Mason Rudolph. Their last playoff win came in January 2017. It hasn’t mattered if it’s Ben Roethlisberger, Russell Wilson, or whoever, they haven’t been able to go past the Wild Card round.

This means that Rodgers is not a guarantee of anything. Besides, Rodgers has a 12-10 playoff record, but many losses have been painful ones. Plus, he is 1-3 in his last four postseason games.

The Steelers’ offense is a great sleeping medicine

Mike Tomlin is a great coach, but his focus is defense and discipline. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shocked the world with his offensive coordinator appointments. After firing Matt Canada, Arthur Smith became the Steelers OC. Smith had done well in that same role in Tennessee, exploiting talents like Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown. He even made Ryan Tannehill get a massive contract extension.

After that, he flopped as the Falcons head coach. Sadly, his first year in Pittsburgh didn’t dazzle. He failed to create a decent offense. Rodgers’ last successful season was with Matt LaFleur calling plays in Green Bay. Things didn’t work with Nathaniel Hackett as OC in New York either.

The AFC North is a war

Not only is the division an absolute mayhem, but the Steelers’ schedule is not friendly at all. They will have the 10th toughest calendar based on their opponents’ records in 2024. Add that to facing Joe Burrow’s Bengals and Lamar Jackson’s Ravens twice. They also face the NFC North (Packers, Bears, Lions, and Vikings), who are all expected to be very competitive. Then you notice some battles vs. Chargers, Bills, and Dolphins.

While Mike Tomlin has never failed to end the regular season over .500, this year is looking more and more like a big challenge. Just don’t get hopes Steelers fans, go with the flow and it’ll at least be fun.