Pittsburgh Steelers
· 2026-07-03
The Pittsburgh Steelers re-signed veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year, $22.5 million contract, despite concerns over his ability to lead the team to a championship.
Analyst Jon Ledyard ranked Rodgers 31st on his quarterback rankings, putting him ahead of just one player, citing his inconsistent play and increased mistakes.
Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title and a 10-7 finish in 2025, but Ledyard argued that he no longer provides consistently reliable quarterback play.
The Steelers' decision to re-sign Rodgers has been questioned by analysts, with ESPN's Seth Walder giving the team a mediocre C+ grade for their offseason, citing Rodgers' declining mobility and ability to handle pressure.
Walder suggested that the Steelers should have targeted a younger quarterback with higher athletic potential, such as Malik Willis or Kyler Murray.
The Steelers will face the Atlanta Falcons on September 13, 2026, and will look to improve their current standing of 16th in the National Football Conference with a 3-14 record, on a nine-game losing streak.
And with new head coach Mike McCarthy taking over, the Steelers are leaning on experience and familiar leadership to chase a championship.
But with questions mounting over Rodgers' ability to handle the physical toll, many have suggested that retirement may be the more sensible path forward.
The Steelers also drafted rookie Drew Allar in the third round to develop for the future, providing a potential long-term solution at quarterback.
As the season progresses, the Steelers will look to turn their fortunes around and make a push for the playoffs, with Rodgers at the helm, at least for now.
The team's current record and standing are a concern, but with a strong offseason and a new coaching staff, there is still hope for a turnaround, starting with their next game against the Falcons on September 13, 2026