The Athletic's Mike DeFabo imagines that Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme will take many of the quick-game concepts from the West Coast offense that will help get the ball out of quarterback Aaron Rodgers' hand to keep him upright and take advantage of his quick release. It could mean lots of slants to receiver DK Metcalf and plenty of Shanahan-style concepts like wide-zone runs and play-action passing built off those runs. DeFabo also thinks they will lean heavily on formations that put four eligible receivers on one side of the formation. Metcalf doesn't have much competition for targets in Pittsburgh, but he comes to the Steel City on a decline since 2020 and is now entering a run-first offense with an aging QB that is probably playing in his final season. The 27-year-old physical freak can do damage on slants, and his overall production could come down to his chemistry with Rodgers. RotoBaller has Metcalf on the WR2/3 borderline in 2025.
Jun 20, 2025 12:37 AM EST
Several coaches who watched quarterback Aaron Rodgers closely last year believe that the Pittsburgh Steelers got a steal with the 41-year-old on a team-friendly contract that pays $13.65 million and pushes toward $20 million with incentives. "He's still throwing the s--- out of the ball, honestly," a veteran NFL offensive coach said. "He's the best quarterback they've had since [Ben Roethlisberger]. We will see how the body holds up, but I think he's going to help them immensely." Despite a disappointing season with the New York Jets in 2024, Rodgers still threw for almost 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns. Mobility and health are issues, but Rodgers still has the arm strength and field vision to get it done in the Steel City. The problem is that Pittsburgh's offense is likely to be run-heavy, giving Rodgers limited fantasy upside as a low-end QB2.
Jun 17, 2025 12:18 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is currently establishing chemistry with new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The two of them have been getting in work together at mandatory minicamp. It's an encouraging sign to see both newcomers getting in reps together this early into camp. Since being traded to Pittsburgh, Metcalf signed a hefty five-year deal and is the clear cut No. 1 wideout on this offense. The Steelers have traded away George Pickens, so Metcalf will be asked to carry a heavy workload. Hopefully, Metcalf and Rodgers will be able to get on the same page. According to DeFabo, Rodgers has been looking good with his playmaking ability and getting off quick releases with the ball.
Jun 13, 2025 5:58 PM EST
Theoretically, The Athletic's Mike DeFabo writes that Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers won't have as much pressure to win games with his right arm alone on a team that has the league's highest-paid defense and features a run-heavy offense that will limit his exposure. Pittsburgh pretty much did the same last year with Russell Wilson, and although they made the playoffs, they scored just 14.2 points per game in their final five games. There are plenty of reasons to be skeptical of the 41-year-old signal-caller, who now lacks mobility after tearing his Achilles in 2023. Rodgers was the NFL's worst QB against the blitz in 2024 and has thrown double-digit interceptions in his last two full seasons. His completion percentage (63%) was the fourth-lowest of any season in which he played at least 16 games. In a run-first offense, Rodgers will be a low-end QB2 in fantasy with minimal upside.
Jun 11, 2025 5:27 PM EST
ESPN's Ben Solak writes that new Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is an uncertain fit with wide receiver DK Metcalf. Metcalf isn't much of a precise route-runner and instead relies more on sheer strength and physicality deep down the field, and Rodgers tends to demand perfection from his wideouts. Will Rodgers and Metcalf mesh well in 2025? Solak thinks that at some point we'll see a sideline or postgame blowup between Rodgers and Metcalf. In the end, it will likely all come down to whether Rodgers buys into offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, which features a lot of play-action passing, something Rodgers doesn't exactly care for. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer lacks mobility at this stage of his career, too, making play-action passing more difficult. Outside of Metcalf, Rodgers doesn't have many weapons through the air, making him a midrange QB2 with not much upside.
Jun 8, 2025 11:36 AM EST
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers was at the Pittsburgh Steelers' training facility on Saturday to officially sign his one-year, $13.65 million deal that includes $10 million guaranteed with a maximum value of $19.5 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal also includes $5.85 million worth of playing and team-performance incentives. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer and fur-time MVP waited until just before mandatory minicamp next week to erase any doubts that he would play for Pittsburgh in 2025 in what will likely be his final year in the NFL. Rodgers tore his Achilles in Week 1 with the Jets in 2023 and then disappointed with 3,897 passing yards, 28 TDs and 11 picks in 17 starts last year. Injuries could continue to be an issue for Rodgers, who finished as the QB15 in fantasy. Rodgers will have DK Metcalf to work with, but not much else in what's expected to be a run-first offense.
Jun 7, 2025 9:05 PM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers are set to sign free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Friday, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. The 41-year-old has been rumored to land with the Steelers all offseason, and the deal is finally getting done. The four-time MVP's stint with the New York Jets did not go as planned, as he suffered a torn Achilles in his first game with the franchise before posting a 5-12 record in 2024. His counting stats (3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions) were solid, but he looked like a shell of his former self at times a season ago. Despite that, he's a better option at quarterback than Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, so the Steelers are bringing him in on a one-year deal. His fantasy upside is limited in what will likely be a run-heavy offense, and the Steelers are lacking weaponry behind wideout DK Metcalf.
Jun 5, 2025 3:41 PM EST
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to be vague about where he wants to play, but at least addressed it on Saturday. A fan asked Rodgers if he would consider playing for the Chicago Bears, which he said no. The long-time Green Bay Packers quarterback has no interest in backing up Caleb Williams. However, Rodgers said there is a team that he might play in Chicago this year. Both the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers play in Chicago this upcoming season. The Steelers remain the most obvious choice, but for some reason the two sides still haven't come to an agreement.
May 25, 2025 10:06 AM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II said on April 1 that the team will wait "not forever, but a little while longer" on free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers to make a decision, and he made a similar statement during the owners' meetings on Wednesday. "A little while longer. I'll say the same thing," Rooney said. So, basically, not much has changed. It remains to be seen if the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer actually wants to continue his playing career, but if he decides to play for another season, it will almost certainly be in the Steel City. If Rodgers chooses to hang up his cleats, the Steelers will be in a pretty dire situation under center with only Mason Rudolph and sixth-round rookie Will Howard as their primary options at QB. A soft deadline for Rodgers to make a decision will be in July before the start of training camp.
May 22, 2025 1:55 PM EST
Free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers "is not under consideration" for the New Orleans Saints, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. There had been some speculation that he could be a target for the Saints after Derek Carr retired, but it sounds like the team is not currently interested in the future Hall of Famer. Rodgers went 5-12 through 17 starts in his only full season with the Jets last year. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. The four-time MVP is heavily favored to land with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he'd have DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth at his disposal. However, at the moment, no deal is imminent. Meanwhile, the Saints appear satisfied with their current quarterback room of Tyler Shough, Spencer Rattler, and Jake Haener.
May 19, 2025 11:38 AM EST
The Pittsburgh Steelers remain in contact with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers and are hopeful that he will eventually sign with them, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. As things currently stand, Mason Rudolph is the projected starting QB for Pittsburgh, with rookie Will Howard backing him up and Skylar Thompson also in the QB room. Rodgers, who isn't in a rush to sign this offseason, said he's willing to play for $10 million in 2025. The Steelers' offense just got worse after trading receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday, so Rodgers would be working with DK Metcalf and Roman Wilson as his top wideouts if he were to head to the Steel City. After disappointing with the New York Jets while working with pass-catchers Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in 2024, fantasy managers shouldn't suddenly expect a rebound in 2025 in what will likely be a run-first offense.
May 7, 2025 1:07 PM EST
When asked if the situation surrounding free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will have any effect on what the Pittsburgh Steelers do in this week's NFL draft, head coach Mike Tomlin said, "It does not." "All options are on the table to acquire those last two [quarterbacks]," general manager Omar Khan said. The Steelers plan on taking four QBs into offseason workouts, but right now they only have Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson. Pittsburgh has the No. 21 overall pick in the first round on Thursday night, and it's very possible they'll select a signal-caller in that spot, especially if Colorado's Shedeur Sanders falls all the way down to them. Taking Sanders wouldn't necessarily prevent the Steelers from signing Rodgers to be their starting QB in 2025, though. While signs had been pointing to Rodgers signing with Pittsburgh a while ago, retirement also remains on the table.
Apr 22, 2025 1:01 PM EST
In addition to saying he hasn't ruled out retiring this offseason, free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show on Thursday that "I'll play for $10 million." Rodgers also said next week's NFL draft won't have any impact on his plans. "I told every single one of the teams I talked to, it ain't about the money," the 41-year-old three-time MVP said. He confirmed he's had conversations with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Vikes and Giants have moved on, but Steelers president Art Rooney II said the team was "hearing that he's headed in our direction" at the league meetings earlier this month. Rodgers said he's operating on his own timeline while making his personal off-the field life a priority. While he could eventually sign with the Steelers, it certainly sounds like retirement is a very real possibility.
Apr 17, 2025 11:07 PM EST
During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers said he has not made a decision on his future as he focuses on his personal life, and retirement is still on the table this offseason. The longtime Green Bay Packer and short-term New York Jet has been rumored to land with the Pittsburgh Steelers ahead of the 2025 campaign, but it sounds like there is still uncertainty. Rodgers, who threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, could have success in the right fit, but his prime is clearly past him, and NFL fans will have to wait at least a little bit longer to see what his plans are for the upcoming season. If Rodgers plays in 2025, it would be a surprise to see him firmly on the fantasy football radar in single-QB leagues.
Apr 17, 2025 2:54 PM EST
Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II said that he has a good feeling about free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and the signs are "pointing in that direction" for him signing with the team. Rodgers remains on the free-agent market, but the expectation has been that he will eventually land with Pittsburgh after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said on Tuesday that Rodgers threw to Steelers wideout DK Metcalf at UCLA over the weekend, which is just another sign that the future Hall of Famer will eventually sign with the Steelers this offseason as their new starting QB. The 41-year-old three-time MVP is doing his due diligence and is in no rush. It's also possible that Rodgers is waiting to make it official until after this month's NFL draft as to not affect the team's compensatory picks. At best, Rodgers will be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in Pittsburgh.
Apr 1, 2025 1:12 PM EST
On Wednesday, Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah noted naming second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) as the team's starting quarterback is "the outcome we want" and "the outcome we're headed towards." However, he refused to rule out the potential of reigniting discussions with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. McCarthy has been cleared for offseason activity, but his return to the field remains unknown. The only other QB on the roster is Brett Rypien. With the New York Giants' most recent signing of Russell Wilson, they're out of the game for Rodgers, so if nothing transpires with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the veteran could still land with the Vikings. He'd undoubtedly be an upgrade over Rypien if McCarthy were out for longer than expected.
Mar 26, 2025 7:53 PM EST
The Minnesota Vikings are reportedly not actively targeting free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. However, when asked to rule out the possibility of signing Rodgers, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah declined to do so. "For me to sit here and say anything is 100% forever," Adofo-Mensah said. "That's just not the job." The team has had talks with veteran free-agent Ryan Tannehill, but no deal is imminent. There is uncertainty surrounding the Vikings' quarterback spot as J.J.McCarthy (knee) works his way back from a torn ACL that cost him his entire rookie season, and the general belief is the Vikings would like to add a solid veteran option to compete with McCarthy after Sam Darnold departed for the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who posted a 5-12 record in 2024 with the New York Jets behind 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions is running out of potential landing spots after Russell Wilson signed with the New York Giants on Tuesday. Rodgers' most likely option is the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the situation in Minnesota is better suited for an aging quarterback on the last leg of his career.
Mar 26, 2025 2:24 PM EST
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says that with quarterback Russell Wilson landing with the New York Giants on Tuesday, it would seem to indicate that free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will likely join the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2025 season if he decides to keep playing. This is the way things have been trending ever since the Minnesota Vikings said last week that they didn't plan on adding Rodgers to their QB room. Per Josina Anderson, the Steelers walked away from their visit with Rodgers feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, according to a league source. It would be a surprise at this point if Rodgers isn't the Steelers' starting QB in 2025, but that won't stop them from also drafting a QB this year. Rodgers would be working with a strong receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens, but he also had Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson in 2024 with the Jets and finished as the QB15 in fantasy scoring.
Mar 26, 2025 1:08 PM EST
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a "safe bet" to eventually sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. After being told that the Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with last year's first-rounder, J.J. McCarthy (knee), as their starter in 2025, Rodgers spent more than six hours visiting with the Steelers last Friday. The New York Giants have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, but it's seen as highly unlikely. So if the 41-year-old three-time MVP doesn't decide to hang up his cleats, signing with Pittsburgh is the most likely scenario. Rodgers would have a nice receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens if he goes to the Steel City, but a WR duo of Davante Adams/Garrett Wilson didn't elevate the Jets to a playoff team with Rodgers at the helm in 2024. At best, Rodgers would be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in 2025 in Pittsburgh.
Mar 24, 2025 1:20 PM EST
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers visited the Pittsburgh Steelers' facility on Friday, an indication that a deal with the team could be coming soon, sources tell the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Gerry Dulac. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that no deal is done or imminent, but Rodgers spent time with Steelers coaches. The future Hall of Famer appeared to be waiting to see if the Minnesota Vikings had any real interest in signing him, but they recently said they aren't interested in the 41-year-old at this time, which could put Rodgers to sign with the Steelers. Pittsburgh reunited with QB Mason Rudolph in free agency, but if Rodgers were to sign, he'd be the unquestioned starter heading into the 2025 season. The 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time MVP threw for 3,897 yards, 28 TDs and 11 interceptions but was unable to lead the Jets to the postseason in 2024. Even with George Pickens and DK Metcalf as the top receivers, Rodgers wouldn't be much more than a midrange QB2 in fantasy if he joins the Steelers.
Mar 21, 2025 1:00 PM EST
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