Taking on Steel City: Aaron Rodgers Joins Pittsburgh for NFL Comeback
Aaron Rodgers is making another attempt to salvage his professional football career.
After a tumultuous stint with the New York Jets, four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers is turning over a new leaf as he signs a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This fresh start is expected to give the aging quarterback, now 41, a chance to bid farewell to the NFL on a high note.
Once a titan in the end zone, Rodgers' dazzling touches left the league reeling, including from his legendary "Hail Marys" and devastating precision. Despite not being universally recognized as the best quarterback of his generation, he held his own amongst the top contenders. His successful 18-year run with the Green Bay Packers, culminating in a Super Bowl win in 2011, cemented his legacy.
But the fairy tale ended in 2023 when Rodgers moved to New York, launching a downward spiral. With his 40th birthday looming, he's seized the opportunity once more, inking a $13.65 million deal with the Steelers.
Bye-bye, Big Apple: Struggles with the Jets
Following his lukewarm relationship with the Green Bay Packers' management, Rodgers sought greener pastures, joining the Jets. However, his time in New York proved to be a nightmare, not least due to a torn Achilles tendon in his first game, which forced him to sit out the rest of the season.
Despite steadily improving individual stats, with nearly 4000 yards and 28 touchdowns in his second year, the Jets missed the playoffs — marking their drought since their 2010-11 season appearance.
Steel Town, Here I Come
The Steelers, who have made the playoffs in the past two years, are keen on returning to that glory. To that end, they kicked off the 2025 season with a bold move: Injecting the aging Rodgers as their starting quarterback. The risky gambit means Rodgers will have a chance to light up the field once more, with skilled pass catcher D.K. Metcalf by his side. Fresh off a transfer from the Seattle Seahawks, Metcalf has shown time and again he's one of the league's best wide receivers. Further bolstering the team is the addition of the experienced Robert Woods, who contributed to the L.A. Rams' Super Bowl win in 2022.
The time for Rodgers to retire gracefully may be now.
The Steelers' bet on Rodgers comes with its share of risks. At 42, his last truly impressive season was 2018, when he bagged the MVP award. Also, his eventful exit from the Packers, followed by contested controversies like his vaccination fiasco in 2021 and disagreements with TV host Jimmy Kimmel, have taken a toll on his reputation.
The first test in the upcoming season for Rodgers, now part of a roster that faces the Jets in their kick-off game, will be an intense, emotional one. Rodgers will face off against his former team and Justin Fields, his replacement, in a riveting confrontation. With field tension at an all-time high, the stage is set for an electrifying start.
Sources:
- Yahoo Sports (2025) "Aaron Rodgers Does a U-turn to Sign for Pittsburgh Steelers." [online] Available at: https://sports.yahoo.com/aaron-rodgers-agrees-deal-pittsburgh-042700039.html
- In his quest for a fitting league departure, Aaron Rodgers, the legendary quarterback, has chosen American football's traditional stronghold, as he signs a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a team renowned for their success in the NFL and NCAA football.
- With the Steelers, Rodgers will rekindle his passion for the sport he's been playing for eighteen years—American football, a game that has seen him deliver iconic moments, like "Hail Marys" and precision passes.
- After a tumultuous stint with the New York Jets, playing football in the NFL once more will provide Rodgers an opportunity to demonstrate his prowess in the sport he excels at the most: American football, a sport he shares with the Steelers.
