A quarterback who witnessed the Pittsburgh Steelers’ last Super Bowl appearance sees Aaron Rodgers as a worthwhile risk.
Mark Sanchez’s New York Jets lost to Pittsburgh in the 2010 season’s AFC Championship Game. The Steelers signed Rodgers in hopes of the four-time MVP restoring those glory years.
Now working as a Fox Sports analyst, Sanchez endorsed the acquisition when speaking to Colin Cowherd on Wednesday. He believes the 41-year-old can make Pittsburgh an AFC player by replicating last season’s performance with New York.
“If he can post those same numbers, that’s a contender right there,” Sanchez said. “All you got to do is make the tournament … That’s all he needs to do. And that sounds easy, but the guy threw for almost 4,000 yards coming off an Achilles (tear) last year. He threw for a 63 percent completion percentage. I mean, 28 touchdowns, 11 picks. The guy has plenty left in the tank.”
Sanchez noted that Rodgers “went on a heater” to close the 2024 campaign. The veteran threw 18 touchdowns to four interceptions over his final 10 games.
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While the Jets only won three of those contests during a 5-12 season, Sanchez blamed subpar defense and special teams play. Meanwhile, Rodgers now joins a Steelers squad that made the playoffs in consecutive 10-7 seasons.
Sanchez thinks an upgraded supporting cast will help Rodgers, who offers big-game experience under center. And while he wondered how Steelers fans would embrace a seemingly imperfect culture fit, the former USC star believes winning would eliminate any animosity.
“You tell me he’s got a defense and some sort of a running game, some weapons like a DK Metcalf,” Sanchez said. “There’s pieces there. He’s got to go through a tough division. That’s a tough road, but he knows how to play in the cold. He’s done this a million times. I like the move. I think it has a real chance. It’s got legs.”
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