Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark believes the 2025 season will end with a referendum looking back on the careers of Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin.
Clark says that Rodgers and Tomlin, who have each won a Super Bowl in their careers, have underachieved. Rodgers and Tomlin have just one Super Bowl, but have never reached those heights again.
“After this season, we’re going to have sort of a referendum on what Aaron Rodgers’ career is and what Mike Tomlin’s career is,” Clark said on ESPN’s Get Up. “Both of them have such a high floor of talent, of ability, of potential to be the greatest that’s ever done it, in my opinion, at their individual positions and places on their team. And they’ve both underachieved.”
Rodgers had 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024. He went just 5-12 in his starts with the Jets, and even after they acquired All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, went just 3-8. It was a tough season for Rodgers, who also had multiple leg injuries.
The Steelers think something remains in the tank for the former four-time MVP. They zeroed in on him as their target, as a result, especially after missing on re-signing Justin Fields.
Now, Rodgers will be with the Steelers on a deal that will not break the bank, and could still land them another wide receiver to help Rodgers.
As for Tomlin, he has not had a losing season in his career and seems likely to be an NFL Hall of Famer at any rate, but his playoff win drought is now becoming a clear storyline in his career that he will want to shake.