Aaron Rodgers is a Pittsburgh Steeler. Now that it’s official, we can finally look at the 2025 Steelers from a realistic standpoint.
There are plenty of broadly optimistic and pessimistic points to be made about the pairing. But ultimately, something that has lingered in the back of my mind is just how Aaron Rodgers fits in an Arthur Smith offense.
Rodgers has long assumed control of his offenses, often working with coordinators who have worked alongside him for many years. Smith and Rodgers have never crossed paths inside a building, so how does the future Hall of Fame quarterback fit into Smith’s run-heavy scheme this season?
Arthur Smith’s track record doesn’t favor high-volume passers like Aaron Rodgers
In every full season Rodgers has played, he’s thrown at least 525 passes. Only one quarterback under Smith has done that, Matt Ryan in 2021 with 560 attempts. It was easily the worst season of his career in Atlanta. Statistically, Ryan’s numbers that year weren’t too far off from Rodgers’ final seasons with Green Bay and the New York Jets. The only difference was that Rodgers threw a handful more touchdowns those years.
There’s no doubt Rodgers has lost a step. He’s 41 years old. That’s fine because he doesn’t have to be some ultimate savior of the franchise. After all, he’s only on a one-year deal.
While no, the Steelers don’t need to put their new quarterback on a pitch count, they do need to come into the season with every intention of running Smith’s offense in step with Rodgers’ passing elements.
Simply put, the Steelers should continue to lean on their running game, not abandon it to please Rodgers. The Steelers' supposed formula of ball control offense with game-breaking defense should be more effective with Rodgers because he can keep the offense in rhythm with a steady running game.
The New York Jets didn’t do this. They were similarly structured, just needing Rodgers to elevate what was already in place. Instead, they let Rodgers sling the ball around and paid for it. Breece Hall went from a promising presence in the Jets’ backfield without Rodgers to near second-round bust territory while Rodgers was under center.
The Pittsburgh Steelers don't need offensive fireworks from Aaron Rodgers, but he should still leave his mark
Still, Rodgers should have plenty of say-so in how his protections formulate, route combinations, and what type of throws he wants to make. He doesn’t need to become something he’s not to please Smith either. Rodgers can still sling the ball well, he just needs to be contained a bit to avoid the same pitfalls that existed in New York and the end of his time in Green Bay.
Effectively, Rodgers should operate more as a game manager until late-game heroics are needed. Then come what may for the final outcome; at least then the Steelers were competitive, right?
READ MORE:Even with Aaron Rodgers, Steelers’ offensive future is still in limbo
Truth be told, while many will place Super Bowl aspirations at the feet of Mike Tomlin now that he’s finally got Rodgers on his roster, the reality is that Pittsburgh’s expectations should rise to simply, and finally, winning a playoff game. After all, Rodgers himself hasn’t won a playoff game in five years, not too far off from the Steelers' own playoff drought.
Rodgers and Smith meshing is the key to this whole experiment. Presumably, they’ve already hashed out a plan to make it work. Here’s hoping they met in the middle.
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