The Pittsburgh Steelers are still expected to sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, even though that possibility has been rumored for almost a month now. All parties involved would benefit from a decision being made quickly, but there is still no timetable for when the deal will be done, or if it will even happen. Steeler Nation has been growing increasingly frustrated with this wait-and-see game, and it won't get any better until Rodgers finally makes up his mind.
The situation could make the schedule-makers' lives harder as well. Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune revealed a rumor about the Steelers' desires about the 2025 schedule.
"Pittsburgh will host the NFL's first game in Dublin this fall, and while the Packers (who just earned international marketing rights in Ireland) have been rumored as a possible opponent, it's believed the Steelers might want to keep the Packers game in Pittsburgh — especially if it's Aaron Rodgers facing his former team," Goessling wrote. "That could leave the Vikings, Bills or Seahawks as possible opponents for the Steelers in Ireland."
Rodgers going against the Green Bay Packers would be a spectacle for the league, no matter how well he plays. That kind of matchup could drive ticket sales, which is exactly why ownership would want the game to be played at Acrisure Stadium. The world would be excitedly watching that game to see how that contest would fare. In fact, that contest would likely end up on primetime if it's not in Ireland, and if Rodgers does play for the Steelers.
As Goessling mentions, the Packers have recently joined the Steelers in receiving marketing rights in Ireland, so it makes perfect sense to have the two teams match up against each other in Dublin. Ever since it was announced that a game would be held there, Pittsburgh and Green Bay were the two teams that were expected to play. Of course, nothing comes easy when Rodgers is involved.
The Steelers will be the designated home team for this game, which limits the opponents they can play. Goessling names the other three teams that would play against Pittsburgh if the Packers don't, and none of them would be divisional games. Like with the Rodgers revenge game, AFC North football brings everyone to the stadium, and there is no way the league would have a divisional game like that overseas.
On top of that, the Indianapolis Colts and the Miami Dolphins are slated to host international games, so they are excluded from playing in Ireland. That leaves the Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, and Buffalo Bills as potential matchups for Dublin if the Packers don't play. Buffalo is the closest to Europe among those three teams, so it could be a fit for that game.
Steelers Hoping NFL Complies With Wish If Report Is Factual
For starters, the Steelers' connection with the nation would most likely make the event a hit regardless of who they play against. Croke Park is expected to be at full capacity for the game. It could be a preseason game against anyone, and fans would likely break the ticketing technology from the sheer amount of online traffic to secure themselves tickets.
As long as the event is a success, the league would likely make it up to the Packers by giving them the opportunity to host a game in Dublin in 2026. They won't play the Steelers then, of course, but since they also have marketing rights there, they will have first dibs on playing in Croke Park, no matter who they face off against then.
Lastly, the NFL owes the Steelers quite a few favors for that horrible 2024 schedule. Everything about that schedule after the bye week was outright brutal, including being forced to play football on Christmas, which was on a Wednesday. They're already angry enough at the league for what they were put through just for ratings on Hard Knocks. The league might as well give in to their wishes.
