Steelers AFC North Cris Carter
Steelers AFC North Cris Carter
Before first signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers last June, Aaron Rodgers had a couple of rough years. He missed the playoffs in his final year in Green Bay before the Packers traded Rodgers to the New York Jets to make way for Jordan Love.
In New York, things never got off the ground. Rodgers ruptured his Achilles tendon in his first drive as a Jet and didn’t really look healthy again until the end of the 2024 season.
Things certainly weren’t perfect last year in Pittsburgh. But it seemed like Rodgers found a place he could call home again. A feeling that’s only growing in his second year with the team, according to T.J. Watt.
“I think if you hang out here for more than a couple hours, you’re gonna see he’s hanging out with everybody. He’s truly been a great teammate to all of us,” Watt said on Movin’ The Chains on SiriusXM NFL Radio. “Like a chameleon. He adapts to whatever group he’s talking with, and just truly has fun. I think that’s the coolest thing about it, is you see how much fun, all the stuff on and off the field here in Latrobe brings to him. And it’s very contagious.
“Chameleon” is a good way to describe Aaron Rodgers. In all facets of the team, he’s found something to appreciate. Rodgers has spoken glowingly about his offensive line, especially center Zach Frazier. Rodgers is also spending time giving defensive players some pointers. And in the wide receiver room, he’s made connections with star DK Metcalf and a special teams ace lower on the depth chart in Ben Skowronek.
One of the bigger criticisms of Rodgers before coming to Pittsburgh was his distrust of younger receivers. That did show itself late in the 2025 seasib when Pittsburgh had to bring in veterans like Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Adam Thielen. But it’s also something he’s working on this year. Rodgers has taken the time to form more of a connection with Roman Wilson. He’s really hyping the third-year receiver up before a crucial season.
After his time in New York, Rodgers may have lost some love for the game. But things seem to be different now. He enjoyed football again under Mike Tomlin last year, and that felt it would have been a good note to go out on.
Then he came back to work with Mike McCarthy again. At this point in his career, Aaron Rodgers seems much more at peace with things. That could be great news for the Steelers’ hopes in 2026.