Aaron Rodgers practiced for the first time as a Steeler last week, and some insiders believe that Pittsburgh should be bullish about their newest quarterback.
Rodgers, 41, signed with the black and yellow on a one-year, $13.65million deal to finally end the speculation surrounding his next move.
And while the quarterback was cut by the Jets this winter, several coaches who ‘watched Rodgers closely’ last year – including members of the Jets, told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler that they believe Pittsburgh got a ‘steal.’
‘He’s still throwing the s*** out of the ball, honestly,’ an NFL offensive coach was quoted as saying in the piece.
‘He’s the best quarterback they’ve had since [Ben Roethlisberger]. We will see how the body holds up, but I think he’s going to help them immensely.’
An AFC executive also added that the ‘mobility is an issue,’ but still believes he can Rodgers can improve the team’s offense.
Aaron Rodgers finally signed with Pittsburgh this month to bring his NFL limbo to an end
Rodgers signed a one-year deal, $13.65m deal which could rise to $19.5m in incentives
‘… Where he helps them is with the plus arm strength and the field vision from the pocket. They haven’t had that. I’m not sure that will be enough, but the offense will be at least respectable.’
Since longtime quarterback Roethlisberger’s last season in 2021, Pittsburgh have struggled for production at the position, with Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph and Mitchell Trubisky getting snaps under center in the two seasons following his retirement.
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Last season was certainly a step forward with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson – and the team made the playoffs with a 10-7 record – but the offense faded in the latter stages of the season. Wilson is now a Giant, while Fields signed with the Jets.
In fact, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers would’ve preferred to retain Fields or lure Matthew Stafford to Pittsburgh over signing ‘third choice’ Rodgers.
Nonetheless, Rodgers had hugely respectable numbers last season for New York, as he tossed 28 touchdowns and nearly reached 4,000 pᴀssing yards.
Speaking to the Pittsburgh media for the first time last week, Rodgers – who announced he had recently gotten married – said his decision to join the Steelers came ‘from the soul.’
Rodgers, seen at practice last week, will look to add a boost to the Pittsburgh offense
‘I don’t need it for my ego. I don’t need it to keep playing. A lot of decisions that I’ve made over my career and life from strictly the ego, even if they turn out well, are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling.’
Rodgers also spoke on the personal issues which had seemingly delayed his decision, saying that ‘things improved a little bit where I felt like I could fully be all in here with the guys.
‘Had a great conversation with Mike [Tomlin] throughout the entire process and [Steelers GM] Omar [Khan] but it’s good to get that done and get behind us.’
Rodgers will travel back to the Jets in Week 1 for the Steelers’ opening matchup of the season.
