The Pittsburgh Steelers could not possibly complain about the way Aaron Rodgers has performed in 2025. Considering his age, and some of the problems that have popped up offensively throughout the year, he’s done as much as he can. He’s won them games with his arm and has been one of the only things to keep them close in some of their losses.
Part of the reason the Steelers brought Rodgers in was due to his stacked resume. They wanted a quarterback who has been there and done that, which Rodgers and his four NFL MVP awards certainly have. Former NFL QB Cam Newton thinks Rodgers could be on the way to earning his fifth this year but that his lack of receiving help is letting him down.
“It’s not the quarterback, it’s the amenities,” Newton said Friday on ESPN’s First Take. “He has shown that his play is still at a high level. And if it wasn’t for the Velcro-esque route running from the receivers, limiting separation, we may be mentioning him for the MVP, at this age.”
Aaron Rodgers is definitely playing at a high level. He’s completing 68.7 percent of his passes, has 17 touchdown passes to five interceptions, and a solid passer rating of 103.1. Those numbers are terrific for a player who turns 42 in a month. And he’s certainly been one of the better quarterbacks in the league this season.
However, the MVP may be a little much. Rodgers is only throwing for 211.5 yards per game, so he’s not exactly throwing the ball all over the field. He’s also focusing on getting the ball out as quick as possible. So there are some limitations to his game.
However, that’s where Newton’s argument comes in. When Rodgers has good blocking, he’s shown a willingness to sit in the pocket and extend plays. He did it throughout the Steelers’ loss to Cincinnati a couple of weeks ago.
That blocking hasn’t been there often enough though. The line is getting better as the year goes on. However, it’s not enough for Rodgers to feel comfortable holding onto the ball on a consistent basis.
Newton also points to the receivers, something he’s done a few times recently. The Steelers could have made a splash move at the trade deadline but elected not to. They did bring in Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who will compete for time against the rest of the room. But in DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson, the Steelers have some talent to go around. And we know how much Rodgers loves his tight ends as well.
Aaron Rodgers won’t be winning the MVP award this year. But Newton feeling comfortable enough to throw his name out there is a sign the Steelers made the right decision in signing him.
Recommended for you