Sometimes you just have to know when to walk away. There is an age-old mantra in sports that no one person is bigger than the team. Perhaps no professional team has embodied that philosophy more than the Pittsburgh Steelers. While “The Steeler Way” may have run its course long ago, watching the Steelers allow themselves to be held hostage by one player has been shocking. Neither Art Rooney nor Chuck Noll would stand idly by as a player publicly thumbs his nose at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Not any player. If they want to regain the respect that one of the NFL’s most storied franchises deserves, the Pittsburgh Steelers should walk away from Aaron Rodgers while they still can.
Steelers And Rodgers Benefited From Each Other
The Steelers and Rodgers have a complicated relationship. But it shouldn’t be. Both the Steelers and Rodgers benefited from each other. Signing Rodgers gave the Steelers a chance to compete in 2025. Pittsburgh desperately needed a legitimate option at quarterback, which is why they allowed Rodgers to string them along for months.
Rodgers, courted by the Steelers (and only the Steelers), delayed signing with Pittsburgh until June. Some speculated that Rodgers’ preferred destination was the Minnesota Vikings, who stood firm in their decision to roll with J.J. McCarthy as their QB1. Rodgers eventually signed with Pittsburgh, of course, but the Steelers looked foolish by letting the situation drag on for months. If Rodgers had spurned them, the Steelers would have already lost the opportunity to address their QB need in free agency or the draft.
The Steelers, on the other hand, gave Rodgers his best chance to revitalize his career. After a forgettable stint with the New York Jets, the future Hall of Famer had a chance to end his career on a high note in Pittsburgh. A top-5 all-time QB, Rodgers avoided any damage to his legacy that might have occurred if his storied career had ended after his time in New York.
Here We Go Again
Rodgers and the Steelers genuinely seemed to enjoy their time together in 2025. Rodgers led Pittsburgh to the playoffs. Both appeared eager to extend that partnership another season should Rodgers continue playing. While the Steelers hoped for a quick decision from Rodgers, that proved to be wishful thinking. As we enter May, Rodgers has refused to commit one way or the other. Here we go again.
After being embarrassed only one year ago by allowing Rodgers to hold them hostage throughout the offseason, the Steelers have looked foolish again. Pittsburgh publicly issued Rodgers a soft deadline to make up his mind by the draft. Now the draft has passed without a peep from the QB. It’s time for the Steelers to walk away and focus on the quarterbacks they have.
The Steelers Are Not A Super Bowl Contender With Rodgers
Make no mistake, the Steelers will win more games in 2026 with Aaron Rodgers than any of their other QB options. Unfortunately, the Steelers are not a Super Bowl contender with (or without) Rodgers. Unless Rodgers, who played well in 2025, returns to the MVP-level QB he was years ago (not likely for a 42-year-old), the Steelers’ ceiling in 2026 will be the same as it has been: fight to get into the playoffs and then lose in their first game.
The Baltimore Ravens, with a healthy Lamar Jackson, are the clear favorites to win the AFC North. Behind them is the Cincinnati Bengals, who will have one of the most lethal offenses in the NFL if Joe Burrow doesn’t get hurt again. If the Bengals can even field a league-average defense, they can make some noise in the AFC. Cincinnati has focused on improving that side of the ball all offseason.
The Steelers are projected to finish third in their own division. They are hardly seen as a threat to win the Super Bowl. So why put up with all this nonsense? If Rodgers doesn’t seem to care if he is a Pittsburgh Steeler, just let him go.
Steelers Relationship With Rodgers Growing More Tense
The Steelers’ relationship with Rodgers is growing more tense. In a move sure to infuriate the mercurial QB, Pittsburgh placed a rare UFA tender on Rodgers earlier this week. The tender guarantees Rodgers a 10% raise on his 2025 salary (about $15 million for 2026). The Steelers will be awarded a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers signs elsewhere. If Rodgers does not sign with a team by July 22, the Steelers will have exclusive negotiating rights. While a move like this certainly gives the Steelers insurance, it can be interpreted as Pittsburgh showing concern that Rodgers may move on.
Rodgers is also said to be “irritated” with the Steelers. Why? Because they talk about him. What are they supposed to do? Rodgers has created a situation that demands people talk about him, and now he is getting mad when his name is mentioned? Ok.
Time For Steelers To Focus On Future
Frankly, the Steelers are going nowhere with Aaron Rodgers. Of course, that is not Rodgers’ fault, but he is no longer able to carry an average team to glory. It’s time for the Steelers to focus on the future.
Pittsburgh was thought to be positioning itself to draft a franchise quarterback in 2027. With a QB class expected to be very strong, with four QBs being selected in the top 14 picks of ESPN’s 2027 mock, the Steelers may be able to finally escape QB purgatory.
Those plans may be put on hold after selecting QB Drew Allar with the 76th pick in the 2026 Draft. Allar has been quite a polarizing pick, especially considering that Pittsburgh may now pass on drafting a quarterback next year.
How will the Steelers know what they need next year if they don’t know what they have? Having Allar (or Will Howard, for that matter) sit on the sidelines all season will make it impossible to properly evaluate him before the 2027 Draft. Even if it leads to fewer wins in 2026, the Steelers will be better served in the long run by letting Allar (or Howard) see the field in 2026. Maybe either one will show signs of being a franchise quarterback. Maybe they look hopeless and make it imperative that Pittsburgh finds an upgrade.
Being able to see what they have in their young quarterbacks is possibly the biggest reason why the Steelers should walk away from Aaron Rodgers.
Final Thoughts
Aaron Rodgers has had one of the most impressive careers in NFL history. If he wants to continue it in Pittsburgh, he is doing a lousy job of showing it. The Steelers aren’t going to win Super Bowl LXI with Aaron Rodgers. Keeping him for another season only hinders Pittsburgh’s ability to land a top QB in 2027. The longer the Steelers stay with Rodgers, the tougher it becomes to finally have a long-term answer at QB. It would be better for the Steelers(and Rodgers) to walk away from Aaron Rodgers while they still can.
