NFL Analyst Struggles To Rationalize Aaron Rodgers-Steelers Saga

Not once has Aaron Rodgers signaled the long-awaited decision that’s cornered the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

It’s been over seven weeks since Rodgers, a current free agent, and the Steelers met. Pittsburgh has undergone a handful of offseason changes, including adding wideout DK Metcalf, selecting seven newcomers in the 2025 NFL Draft and trading wideout George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys. But there’s still been no word on Rodgers, and the 41-year-old’s consideration of either returning or retiring isn’t helping the Steelers and their clear commitment.

Going all in on Rodgers while turning a blind eye to several other candidates, so far, hasn’t aged well for Pittsburgh. NFL analyst Gregg Rosenthal believes the organization has nobody to blame but itself.

“The Steelers have mismanaged this situation worse than any NFL team could,” Rosenthal said on the “Ross Tucker Football Podcast” Monday morning. “Could you imagine if another team other than the Steelers was just waiting on bated breath for Aaron Rodgers, and he actually doesn’t go there? They should absolutely be flamed. … I did go back to just refresh myself and watch a couple of the late-season Rodgers games. I just don’t think he’s a difference-making quarterback anymore.”

Rodgers, a future Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, wasn’t at all elite throughout his two-year stay with the New York Jets. Granted, Rodgers endured a season-long setback after suffering a torn Achilles, but when the four-time MVP returned the following season, Rodgers wasn’t even a shade of himself. New York wasn’t competitive, as Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and finished 25th in Total QBR and 30th in completion percentage among qualified passers.

The Jets weren’t interested in running it back with Rodgers, so the organization met in February to discuss its desire for a departure — before signing ex-Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency.

“He’s not the worst quarterback in the league, either,” Rosenthal said. “But you’re doing all of this for, what I would say, is the 24th best quarterback in the league. That’s where he’s at right now.”

Pittsburgh brought back ex-backup Mason Rudolph and selected Will Howard from Ohio State with its sixth-round draft selection, giving head coach Mike Tomlin a few — albeit underwhelming — options to choose from in the meantime.

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