It seems possible that the Steelers will (drum roll) sign Aaron Rodgers. He visited, probably had a Primanti’s sandwich, maybe rode the incline, so he’s hooked.
What exactly would Rodgers bring to the table? It might not be everything you think.
Rodgers is one of the best quarterbacks of all time. He will still have those moments occasionally. But he’s not MVP Aaron Rodgers. He’s 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers.
Rodgers would win a couple more games than Mason Rudolph. If you believe Rudolph would win eight, Rodgers might win 10. The upgrade in the standings will not be cataclysmic. And Rodgers will make about $30 million more than Rudolph.
Rodgers will very likely get hurt. He got injured in the first week of the 2023 season. He’s going to miss games.
Rodgers won’t win the AFC North. He won’t win a playoff game, not unless you get just the right matchup in the wild-card round. Like if the Steelers would have visited Houston this past season. Rodgers will not beat a Superman quarterback in a big game. He’s not good enough, nor are the Steelers.
Rodgers will come to Pittsburgh and totally take over. Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will kowtow to Rodgers and let Rodgers do what he wants. Mike Tomlin will also be subservient, but it won’t be as tangible.
Rodgers will continue his weekly appearances on “The Pat McAfee Show.” If the situation is a circus, Rodgers will expose that.
Rodgers won’t be a leader. He’s there for himself. Rodgers will likely frustrate incumbent leaders like Cam Heyward.
So that’s my user’s guide to Rodgers. It’s like slapping a butterfly stitch on a gunshot wound. He won’t be worth the extra expenditure. Not beyond showbiz, and there’s going to be plenty of that.
But it’s favorable optics. “Hall of Fame quarterback joins Hall of Fame coach in Pittsburgh.” It’s good for the marks. Like Art Rooney II, Tomlin, you and Rodgers.
And Rudolph gets screwed again.
Signing Rodgers isn’t what’s best for the Steelers. What’s best for the Steelers is to go 5-12.
Then, in the 2026 draft, the Steelers select the quarterback you get when you go 5-12. Who figures to be considerably better than the quarterback you pick when you go 10-7. (That draft is in Pittsburgh. You want showbiz? You got it.)
The obsession with clinging to the mushy middle like it’s a good thing is dumbfounding.
The Steelers don’t see that, and neither do most of you. But the formula is proven, and it’s simple.
Go 1-13, draft Terry Bradshaw, win Super Bowls.
Go 6-10, draft Ben Roethlisberger, win Super Bowls.
What don’t the Steelers understand? But they don’t.
They believe their own horse manure. That’s a problem. They believe their method supersedes doing what’s needed to get the best long-term quarterback possible.
Categories: Mark Madden Columns | Sports | Steelers/NFL
