The Pittsburgh Steelers are wired as an organization to aim to make the most of each individual season. That has generally served them well over the years, but lately, it’s caused more of a rut as they continue to throw remedies at the symptoms rather than treating the wound. The latest band-aid remedy might end up being Aaron Rodgers.
One Steelers insider believes the team is due for a step back regardless of whether Rodgers lands in Pittsburgh.
“Personally, I’m a bit more skeptical,” The Athletic’s Mike DeFabo said [via The BetMGM Network on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXVqaWQjEuw&ab_channel=TheBetMGMNetwork). “Even if they were to get Aaron Rodgers, even when he had Davante Adams, in one of those 11 games, they didn’t score a touchdown, and in two games overall, they didn’t. He was, last year, the worst starting quarterback against the blitz because his mobility is declining in age and after the injury. I personally feel like the Steelers, if I had to predict right now, are going to finish third in a very competitive AFC North.”
If people thought Russell Wilson’s 7-8 2023 season with the Denver Broncos was bad, just look at Rodgers’ 5-12 record with the New York Jets last year. Would this particular band-aid even ensure the Steelers remain competitive?
If you look at the Steelers’ list of problems in 2024 in no particular order, it would be the run defense, quarterback play, run game, and lack of receiving weapons.
An argument can be made that the offensive line should be poised to take a large step forward in 2025. Troy Fautanu will be back in the mix as the Steelers’ first-round pick last year. Zach Frazier has a full year of experience and played great as a rookie, with the same story to a lesser degree for Mason McCormick. Broderick Jones will finally be in his [natural spot at left tackle](https://steelersdepot.com/2025/02/safe-assumption-broderick-jones-will-be-left-tackle-going-into-2025-season-says-omar-khan/). The O-line alone can solve many of the issues from last season.
Losing Najee Harris could be detrimental, but most people wanted to see Jaylen Warren in a bigger role. They also brought in Kenneth Gainwell and are likely to draft a running back from this deep and talented draft class at the position.
Adding DK Metcalf into the mix with George Pickens and the other receiving weapons should instantly make that a much more dangerous group. As a result, the rushing lanes might be bigger with fewer players in the tackle box.
The run defense will be a work in progress, but Daniel Ekuale is a stout run-stopper to replace Larry Ogunjobi, and there is a very good chance the Steelers will draft a D-lineman in the first round of the upcoming draft.
Not all of those things will go according to plan, but that is likely what the Steelers are telling themselves about the potential of inserting Rodgers and having success.
“As much as in Pittsburgh they would love for them to take a step forward, I think a step back is just as likely for them this year,” DeFabo said.
Until the Steelers finally have a losing season, I don’t see it happening. Could they go 9-7 and narrowly miss the playoffs? That wouldn’t shock me. On the plus side, the Steelers should have a windfall of compensatory draft picks next year to move up for their franchise QB of the future.