The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed up for the Aaron Rodgers experience. Deep in the terms and conditions, they’ll find that they’ve agreed to be linked to just about every Green Bay Packers veteran who has shared the field with Rodgers.
When the Canton-bound quarterback was traded to the New York Jets, a handful of former Packers players either followed him or welcomed him as part of his recruitment. The Steelers won’t be nearly as aggressive. Rodgers is playing a cameo, rather than the role of savior. His signing came later in the offseason, the roster is more talented and Rodgers has less leverage than he did in East Rutherford.
Even so, Pittsburgh has remained in the spotlight. For late-offseason rumors, that means being attached to Packers like receiver Christian Watson.
“Watson may well be the most gifted player in the Packers' wide receiver room, but there's a reason Green Bay spent two early draft picks at the position this April; the 26-year-old veteran has missed multiple games due to injury in each of his first three NFL seasons, giving the Pack a true boom-or-bust experience on the perimeter,” Cody Benjamin wrote for CBS Sports.
“With both Matthew Golden and Savion Williams in line for significant roles as rookies, might the Packers be willing to sell Watson as he recovers from an ACL tear? Rodgers might have to wait until later in 2025 to reunite with the speedster as a result, but the potential for late-season fireworks might make the gamble worthwhile.”
However, there are several reasons why Pittsburgh isn’t a fit for Watson, despite the familiarity of the 2022 season.
For one, Watson is still recovering from his late-season ACL tear. That puts him on track to return at some point during the year, playing a minor role late in the season. With his medicals in question, it’s hard to imagine the Steelers trading anything more than a conditional Day 3 pick for his services.
Green Bay isn’t incentivized to accept that, given its own title hopes and his rapport with quarterback Jordan Love. If he’s making splash plays in January, the Packers would rather see it in green and yellow than receive a late-round selection.
Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur spoke about Watson’s recovery on Thursday, regarding an earlier return than anticipated.
"Probably not, to be honest," LaFleur admitted. "The guys that are available, that's who you coach and that's kind of where you focus," he added. "It is exciting to see how far along he is, he's been doing a great job, he attacks it the right way. Our trainers have done an outstanding job with him. I think he's in the best spot possible considering the circumstance."
Further, the Steelers already have a vertical threat on the boundary who wins with size and speed. His name is DK Metcalf. Watson’s underdeveloped intermediate game doesn’t mesh well with starting as the Z for Pittsburgh. With the medical baggage in his profile and the Steelers’ commitment to 2026 capital, they shouldn’t be expected to trade for Watson.
