Jets Country

Could Steelers Be Super Bowl Contenders With Aaron Rodgers?

The Steelers need Aaron Rodgers on their roster.
Zach Pressnell|
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) greet each other after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Oct 20, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) and Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin (right) greet each other after their game at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

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New York JetsPittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently looked at as one of the worst teams in the league, but it has a lot to do with the quarterback position. Right now, it's Mason Rudolph and Will Howard competing for the starting job in Pittsburgh and neither guy will lead the Steelers to the division title or Super Bowl.

But they're still interested in free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, formerly of the New York Jets.

Could the Steelers still be Super Bowl contenders if they sign Rodgers? Even after they just traded away George Pickens?

The short answer is yes, but they shouldn't be looked at as favorites in any circumstance. They still play in a division with one of the league's best players, Lamar Jackson.

Rodgers would be an upgrade, in the short term, over what the Steelers had in 2024 at quarterback. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields were good enough to win games, but neither were excellent.

While the Steelers traded away Pickens, they brought in DK Metcalf, who's arguably a much better wide receiver. The wide receiver room is still an issue, but it's hard to argue it's worse than it was last season.

The defense has seen massive upgrades including three stud defensive lineman added during the NFL Draft. Pittsburgh also added cornerback Darius Slay Jr. who could be a sneaky good pickup at the back end of his career.

All in all, it's hard to argue the Steelers have any worse of a roster than they did last season. Pair this with the addition of Rodgers and the team looks significantly better than last season. Pittsburgh wasn't a contender with Wilson or Fields, but it could be with Rodgers.

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "New York Jets On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org