The wait is over. After months of speculation and conflicting reports, Aaron Rodgers will officially join the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 NFL season. The veteran quarterback is expected to attend next week’s mandatory minicamp.
The news is making waves across the football world during the offseason, sparking a wave of reactions. With Russell Wilson and Justin Fields both out, Rodgers is now set to become the long-awaited starting quarterback for head coach Mike Tomlin.
Rodgers’ move to the Steelers had been highly anticipated, largely due to the unpredictability surrounding the 41-year-old veteran. However, the story has reached a happy ending, and NFL fans will now get to see A-Rod suit up in the black and gold of the Pittsburgh franchise. One of the biggest questions heading into this new chapter revolves around his jersey number.
What number will Rodgers wear with the Steelers?
One of the biggest questions right now is which jersey number Rodgers will wear in Pittsburgh. The veteran quarterback will wear the number 8 he used during his stint with the New York Jets. There was speculation that he might wear number 12, another iconic number from his career.
Aaron Rodgers warms up prior to the game against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on August 26, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Throughout his 18-year career with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers wore No. 12, a number that became synonymous with his legacy in the NFL. However, when he joined the New York Jets in 2023, he chose to wear No. 8—his college number—as a sign of respect for Joe Namath, whose No. 12 is retired by the franchise.
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Aaron Rodgers to sign with Pittsburgh: Steelers’ complete schedule for the 2025 NFL season
The significance of No. 12 in Pittsburgh
The No. 12 jersey holds meaning not only for Rodgers. In Pittsburgh, it’s also a number steeped in history, as it was worn by Terry Bradshaw, who led the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles during the 1970s. While the team has never officially retired the number, it hasn’t been assigned to any player since Bradshaw’s retirement in 1983.
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What number will Rodgers wear for the Steelers?
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Bradshaw had criticized Rodgers
It was Bradshaw himself who reacted strongly during the days when Rodgers was delaying his response to Pittsburgh, sending him a sharp message. “That’s a joke. That is just to me a joke. What are you gonna — bring him in for one year? Are you kidding me? That guy needs to stay in California and chew on bark — and whisper to the gods out there,” Bradshaw had said on 103.7 The Buzz to A-Rod.
