The Pittsburgh Steelers have entered into a risky decision in regards to pursuing Aaron Rodgers. Aside from the obvious risks of pursuing a 41-year-old quarterback who won’t come cheap, the Steelers also face the challenge of managing one of the most polarizing figures in sports if Rodgers decides to play in Pittsburgh for the 2025 season. Rodgers has built a reputation for doing things his own way, often creating drama that spirals into a media frenzy. This is the primary risk associated with bringing him in, as the constant off-field distractions could overshadow the team’s goals.
However, despite the potential drama, Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin appears confident in the pursuit of Rodgers. His confidence speaks volumes about the team’s belief in Rodgers’ abilities and what he could bring to the table. Tomlin understands the challenges but seems ready to handle the complexities of bringing in a quarterback with such a high-profile persona. If Tomlin didn’t believe it could work, he likely wouldn’t be so determined in pursuing Rodgers.
During Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo's appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Friday, he shed light on why Tomlin may be so confident in this pursuit. Fittipaldo explained that Tomlin has dealt with similar high-pressure situations before and is no stranger to managing big personalities. This experience, Fittipaldo believes, is what makes Tomlin so assured that he can handle the potential circus that might come with adding Rodgers to the Steelers' roster.
"Honestly, if you are Mike Tomlin, could it be any worse than having Ben Roethlisberger do his show at 11 on his station and Mike had to follow him and answer questions in his press conference about what Ben had said?" Fittipaldo said.
Fittipaldo pointed out the obvious fact that Tomlin coached Ben Roethlisberger for over a decade. With his extensive experience managing strong personalities, Tomlin is well-versed in navigating the complexities that come with high-profile quarterbacks.
This familiarity is likely giving him the confidence that he can successfully coexist with Rodgers in Pittsburgh.
"I think Mike views it as, hey, I have been through this before," Fittipaldo said. "I’m sure I can handle it if it’s Aaron Rodgers this time."
The first part of this is that Tomlin had plenty of experience and familiarity with Roethlisberger long before his public shows and media attention started. While that certainly brought extra stress and attention to the team, Tomlin consistently handled it well. This ability to manage a high-profile personality is likely why Fittipaldo believes Tomlin is fully on board with pursuing the ever-polarizing figure that is Rodgers.
Steelers Will Become A Reality TV Show For Many If They Sign Aaron Rodgers
Many Steelers fans have expressed skepticism about the idea of signing Rodgers. However, after the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position in the 2025 offseason, some are starting to warm up to the idea. In 2024, while Rodgers showed improvement as the season progressed, he didn’t quite resemble the four-time league MVP of old. At 41 years old, this decline is expected, but it remains a significant concern for the Steelers.
Fans are left wondering if Rodgers still has enough in the tank to be effective. If he does, the risk might be worth it, as Rodgers could potentially lead the Steelers on a deep playoff run while they continue searching for a younger franchise quarterback. Whether it happens or not, the situation will certainly make headlines, and Steelers fans are eagerly awaiting resolution to this ongoing saga.
The Steelers and Tomlin haven’t won a playoff game since the 2016 season, leading to frustration among fans about the team’s direction under Tomlin. Many have called for bold changes, and while the team didn’t provide the drastic answers fans hoped for, it’s clear they’re now pursuing something bold and unconventional. The pursuit of Rodgers signals that the Steelers are ready to shake things up and make a big move to reignite their playoff hopes.
