There’s a cinematic bliss watching a legend’s career wind down. Well, the Pittsburgh Steelers occupy the best seat in the house. Their dedication to Aaron Rodgers felt nauseating at times; yet Omar Khan is happy to have the veteran around. And apparently, so are his teammates. Recently, members of Mike McCarthy’s offense spent time with the future Hall of Famer during an annual bonding retreat.
Social media was flooded with moments of Rodgers and his boys enjoying moments before the “last rodeo.” And I believe the pictures foreshadow another season where Rodgers' connection allows him to surpass expectations.
I firmly stand by the mantra “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.” Sure, Pittsburgh’s offense experienced downfalls last campaign. But Rodgers’ mistakes were few and far between. No, the seasoned veteran wasn’t perfect. He forced first reads often, and mobility became an issue against explosive defensive fronts.
Rodgers still led Pittsburgh to an AFC North title with more injuries and fewer weapons than expected. In 2025, the All-Pro finished with more touchdown passes (24) than Jordan Love (23) and more passing yards (3,322) than Jalen Hurts (3,224). Rodgers also limited interceptions (7) while developing deep connections with his teammates.
But there were still a handful of fans displeased with his performance.
Aaron Rodgers' role during his last rodeo with the Pittsburgh Steelers is more important than accolades
At the end of the campaign, we were forced to revisit the film. Of course, Rodgers didn’t have an MVP season like 2021 - but that was not his job. Pittsburgh brought him in to give the franchise a chance. He did so with limited targets and questionable protection. This year, he has a better opportunity to take a bigger swing.
Rodgers' connection with his peers could’ve been a saving grace last season. He managed to lead Arthur Smith's offense, utilizing Kenneth Gainwell as his primary target. Concerns were prevalent, but the veteran made few excuses, faring better than he should’ve given the resources.
Luckily, the front office beefed up the roster during the offseason.
Michael Pitman Jr. and Germie Bernard were new weapons for Rodgers to spread the field. Brock Hoffman, Max Iheanachor, and Gennings Dunker were also acquired to add protection to the front line. And with Rodgers’ retirement being certain, how could this group not surpass last season's results?
We know Rodgers is a competitor. I do not believe he would’ve agreed to compete for another season if he wasn’t physically able. And if he is, his job is to manage the game - not outpace Josh Allen or other top QBs for the MVP.
The sweet spot for the Steelers is more achievable than fans realize. If Rodgers keeps the offense at an above-average level, it will be equivalent to an MVP season. More importantly, it could increase the odds for a successful last rodeo. A connection with his teammates proved vital last season - I expect it to transcend results this time around.
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