Pittsburgh Steelers new quarterback Aaron Rodgers still has a lot to prove in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin promised wholesale changes were coming in 2025, and although most of the defensive roster and coaching staff stayed the same, the quarterback room — along with other key parts of the offense like wide receiver George Pickens — were indeed overhauled as Aaron Rodgers eventually replaced Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
The all-important question is: Will it make any difference as the Steelers set off on yet another pursuit of a Super Bowl?
That can only be answered in between the white lines, but the early consensus from the general public doesn’t seem overly optimistic. Rodgers ranked exactly one spot lower than Fields in an early FOX Sports quarterback ranking ahead of training camp, and that feels like a very telling placement on the list.
To be clear, neither Rodgers nor Fields ranked all that high, at No. 26 and No. 25, respectively. But putting the Steelers’ free agent departure one spot above Rodgers almost seems diabolical. As if to whisper ever so subtly: You made the wrong choice.
There was nothing subtle about FOX Sports reporter Henry McKenna’s explanation, however.
“I just want to let myself get excited about DK Metcalf and Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren and Pat Freiermuth and Broderick Jones,” McKenna noted within the ranking. Adding: “And I’d let myself, if it wasn’t for … Aaron Rodgers.”
“It seemed that folks in Pittsburgh breathed a sigh of relief when Rodgers signed: Finally, this nightmare is over,” the reporter continued.
“But that’s not how it works with this version of Rodgers,” he warned. “The nightmare is just beginning.”
On the flip side, McKenna’s lack of excitement about Fields seemed to stem more from him playing for the New York Jets, rather than any personal shortcomings.
Aaron Rodgers Will Get Opportunity to Prove Steelers Right, Facing Former QB Justin Fields in Week 1
Fortunately for Aaron Rodgers and Pittsburgh, they’ll have an immediate opportunity to settle this narrative in Week 1, facing off against Justin Fields and the Jets.
The Jets are a team very much in transition this offseason, so it’s hard to know what to expect from them in 2025.
Not only did they change their quarterback, bringing in Fields, but they also overhauled their entire organization, hiring a new general manager and coaching staff.
The first-year HC, Aaron Glenn, is cut from the Tomlin cloth. A no-nonsense player’s coach and defensive mind that preaches effort and culture above all else.
He could really turn around the Jets’ mess of an organization if the locker room buys into what he’s selling, but who knows if that will happen before Week 1.
With Fields learning a new playbook and the NYJ players adjusting to Glenn’s way of life, the season opener could be the best time for the Steelers and their new QB to get some revenge on both of their exes.
Russell Wilson Ranks Lowest of Current & Recent Steelers QBs
Although Rodgers was listed lower than Fields in McKenna’s 2025 quarterback power ranking, the silver lining is that he did place higher than the Steelers’ other 2024 QB, Russell Wilson.
According to McKenna, Wilson ranks fourth lowest for all starting signal-callers entering training camp, ahead of only Joe Flacco and two rookies (Cam Ward and Tyler Shough). That puts him at No. 29 overall.
“Wilson will fend off Jaxson Dart for as long as he can,” McKenna wrote. Adding: “These are the guys Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen bet their jobs on.”
He then reiterated for effect: “Wait, these are the guys Daboll and Schoen bet their jobs on?”
It’s very possible that the trio of Rodgers, Fields and Wilson are all without starting gigs in 2026 — either due to retirement or poor play.
