Is Aaron Rodgers Key to Steelers Avoiding Losing Season?
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game on Oct. 20, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Ben Roethlisberger believes that the 2025 season will be the first losing season under head coach Mike Tomlin, if the team is unable to secure the services of quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
On the latest episode of his Footbahlin podcast on Tuesday, Roethlisberger predicted the Steelers' record with and without Rodgers, who remains a free agent with no update on when or if he might sign with the Steelers, just six days before the start of OTAs.
With Rodgers in the fold, Roethlisberger sees the Steelers as an 11-6 team. But if the quarterbacking is left to current starter Mason Rudolph, Roethlisberger sees the Steelers finishing 7-10, for the team's first losing season with Tomlin at the helm.
Advertisement
But if the Steelers are able to sign Rodgers, as has been widely speculated, Roethlisberger sees them finishing in good shape at 11-6.
'HOF,' he said, referencing Rodgers' future as a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. 'That'll get you a few more wins.'
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a game against the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 3, 2021. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
A four-win difference between Rodgers and Rudolph is not crazy, though it should be noted that Rodgers went 6-12 as a starter over the last two seasons with the New York Jets, while Rudolph 4-4 eight starts between Pittsburgh in 2023 and the Tennessee Titans last season.
Still, Pittsburgh's quarterback situation appears to be fairly dire if the team is unable to land Rodgers. Pro Football Focus placed Rudolph among the worst quarterbacks in the NFL current in a starting role earlier on Tuesday.
Advertisement
PFF suggested that the Steelers could start sixth-round rookie Will Howard instead of Rudolph, if they don't end up landing Rodgers.
With OTAs starting on Tuesday, it's unclear how much longer the Steelers will be wiling to be patient with Rodgers, who has said that personal issues have kept him from making a decision about his future.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Is Aaron Rodgers Key to Steelers Avoiding Losing Season?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Steelers Add Another Memphis Alum, Sign Ballhawking Safety
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to signed safety Quindell Johnson, per his agency, Universal Sports Management. Johnson is a 6-foot, 208-pound safety out of Memphis in his third professional season. He was most recently with the San Francisco 49ers, but was waived on May 13. Advertisement The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent first joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, but was released during final roster cuts. He was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Bears and played nine games during his rookie season in Chicago. He played 35 snaps of defense, playing both in the box and as a free safety. He also played 106 snaps of defense. In total, Johnson recorded three tackles and intercepted Blaine Gabbert in a game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Last summer, Johnson was again waived coming out of training camp. He spent the entire 2024 season on the Los Angeles Rams practice squad, but did not appear in a game. He was released by the Rams on Jan. 7 and signed with the 49ers on Jan. 21 before being cut after the draft. Quindell Johnson, Memphis Athletics A New Orleans native, Johnson joined Memphis in 2018 and spent five seasons with the Tigers. He redshirted as a true freshman and started four games in 2019 before becoming a three-year starter. Advertisement In 2021, Johnson had 105 tackles, and he followed that up with an AAC-leading four interceptions in 2022. He was a three-time All-AAC selection. In pre-draft testing, Johnson ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash, and posted a 4.24-second shuttle run, but had a below-average 32.5-inch vertical for an overall Relative Athletic Score of 7.24. His signing continues the Steelers strong trend of signing players with Memphis area connections lately. He joins Calvin Austin III, Kenneth Gainwell and Roc Taylor as Memphis alumni. Cornerback Brandin Echols is also a Memphis native. The Steelers do not currently have an open roster spot, though they will be able to place tight end Donald Parham on injured reserve after his season-ending injury on Tuesday. Advertisement This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Steelers Add Another Memphis Alum, Sign Ballhawking Safety Related Headlines
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Steelers banking on offensive line investment paying off
PITTSBURGH, Pa. (BLACK AND GOLD NATION) – Pittsburgh has selected five offensive linemen in Omar Khan's first two drafts as general manager. The Steelers are now hoping that investment will pay off in 2025. 'All the teams that end up winning on Sundays usually starts up front,' Steelers offensive tackle Troy Fautanu said. 'Chiseled' Cole Holcomb ready to make impact in return from injury In 2023 and 2024, tackles Broderick Jones and Fautanu were first-round picks in back-to-back drafts. Khan doubled down on adding to the unit in the 2024 NFL draft with second-round center Zach Frazier and fourth-round guard Mason McCormick. 'It's super awesome because we all have that same goal (to win), we all have the same mindset coming to work every single day,' Fautanu said. '(Our work is) going to pay dividends on Sundays once we finally are able to go out there and put it all together.' This is expected to be the year for the entire core to put it all together. Veteran offensive guard Isaac Seumalo may not be vocal, but his consistent play and steadiness do all the talking that he needs to lead the young group. Frazier's strong rookie season gives plenty of confidence that he's the center the Steelers have needed since Maurkice Pouncey retired. 'He doesn't seem like a guy going into his second year. He seems like a mature guy and mature veteran already,' Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph said. 'You could just see as the year went on, his confidence grew and he's (comfortable) out there running the show,' Fautanu said. McCormick, who started 14 games in his rookie campaign, showed plenty of promise as well and should grow heading into his second year. Meanwhile, Fautanu is ready to step up after missing nearly the entirety of his rookie season with a knee injury. '(My rehab) was a long process, but something that I'm getting used to now, it's just a part of who I am and the player that I have to be,' Fautanu said. 'I'm just super excited to finally be back out here and be with the guys.' After playing his first two seasons at right tackle, Jones is finally moving back to his natural position at left tackle with the departure of Dan Moore Jr. 'He looks good,' Fautanu said. 'We're all excited to be at the spots that we are.' 'Broderick is an athletic guy,' Rudolph said. 'Talking to him, he seems more comfortable there on the left, and he's done a great job.' The Steelers wrap up week two of Organized Team Activities on Thursday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pittsburgh Steelers trade for Pro Bowl weapon viewed as more likely after season-ending injury
The status of the Pittsburgh Steelers' offense is largely in flux. They still don't know who their starting quarterback will be, but odds are it will be one of Aaron Rodgers, Kirk Cousins, or Mason Rudolph. If it's the first two, Pittsburgh may want to act quickly to get them on the team before the Steelers' mandatory minicamp kicks off on June 10. Going further, the Steelers' group of pass-catchers could still see some changes too. Of course, we've already seen a fair bit of roster transactions in Pittsburgh already, trading for DK Metcalf and shipping George Pickens out of town. Advertisement The Pickens trade has led to further speculation that the Steelers could still add another complementary weapon for their offense. Now, after Steelers tight end Donald Parham Jr suffered a season-ending Achilles tear, the Steelers could amplify their trade efforts. Specifically, the Steelers have been linked to a trade for Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith. Perhaps it's no coincidence then that on the same day news broke of Parham's injury, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers have 'renewed' trade discussions for Smith. While the Steelers already have a starting tight end in Pat Freiermuth and another intriguing talent in 2023 third-round pick Darnell Washington, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith frequently likes to use multiple tight ends for different roles, and he already has a built-in familiarity with Smith from their time together in Atlanta and Tennessee. In other words, the Steelers trading for Smith makes a lot of sense, but are the Dolphins willing to play ball? After all, he's their starting tight end, and the Dolphins didn't draft anyone at the position either. Advertisement Of course, it's always possible that Miami negotiates a trade that brings back one of Freiermuth or Washington and installs him as their starter too. Related: Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly don't have key promise from Aaron Rodgers Related Headlines
