This offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a bold move — not by acting quickly, but by exercising rare patience. After parting ways with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields following a frustrating 2024 campaign, the front office didn’t rush to fill the quarterback vacancy.
Instead, they waited. And 80 days later, their patience was rewarded with a future Hall of Famer: Aaron Rodgers.
The four-time NFL MVP signed a one-year, $13.65 million deal to become the Steelers’ new starting quarterback, bringing experience, leadership, and a chip on his shoulder.
But what’s perhaps most exciting is who he’ll be paired with on the sidelines: offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
"I'm going to learn the offense, and Arthur and I are going to talk a bunch this summer. If there's things that I like that I'd like to see in the offense, Arthur I'm sure is going to put it in," Rodgers said.
According to Steelers insider Dale Lolley, Rodgers and Smith have already begun working closely together to craft an offensive identity that suits both their styles. Rodgers confirmed as much when speaking with the media.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offense will show improvement behind Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith
That kind of collaboration between quarterback and play-caller is rare, and it’s a promising sign for Pittsburgh’s offensive outlook in 2025.
Smith, known for his run-first approach and ability to scheme mismatches, will have the challenge of tailoring his system to one of the most cerebral quarterbacks the game has ever seen.
However, with mutual respect and open communication, that challenge could quickly become a strength.
Rodgers, at 41, isn’t expected to carry the offense like he once did in Green Bay. But that’s precisely why Smith might be the perfect fit. His commitment to the ground game should help preserve Rodgers’ body across a grueling schedule, keeping him fresh for crucial moments.
By leaning on the run and giving Rodgers time to read defenses and strike when the opportunity is right, the Steelers may have found a winning formula.
I believe this pairing — a veteran quarterback hungry for redemption and a coordinator eager to prove himself in a new system — could ignite the most balanced Pittsburgh offense we’ve seen in years.
With Rodgers' football IQ and Smith’s scheme, there’s real potential to surpass anything we saw in 2024.
The pieces are in place. Now, it’s time to build something special.
