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QB Aaron Rodgers, PIT (2 Viewers)

Anyone almost hoping he retires? I am to that point. Plus I wouldn't feel good relying on him as anything more than a bye week backup at this point in his career.
Totally.

Wasn’t he going to be RFK’s Jr’s VP pick at one point, or did I hallucinate that? Just another one of those things that hints that he’s not 100% focused on football.

I’m sure he has a bright future ahead of him in podcasting or whatever. He should 💯 start now.
 
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I wouldn't be surprised if he semi retires and waits for an injury on a contending team.

The Steelers not drafting a QB makes me think no. But I think that's a definite possibility.

The Steelers drafted a quarterback.

Sorry. Meant draft a 2025 starting QB. Howard could well be a starter one day. I don't think they have him in the plans as a starter this year. But stranger things have happened.
Historically, no. Late sixth-rounders do not see time as starters, at least not historically. Draft capital alone suggests a third-string or camp arm. I lean the third-string route.
 
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I think Rodgers was a heck of a QB. Was. Now I don't want him anywhere near my team at age 40. I question his leadership and team cohesion skills. I question his accuracy. I question his health. I question what he would ask the GM/Coach/Owner to do to pacify his wants. If a team thinks AR is getting them over the hump, they are thinking of the 32 year old AR. He's gone.
Mostly agree with this. 2021 was 4 years ago now. Rodgers hasn't been a difference maker since then, and the Steelers have even fewer weapons than the Jets did. This is likely a bottom 5 offense WITH Rodgers, and arguably the worst without. I'd argue Fields>>Wilson>>Rodgers>Rudolph.

Throughout his career, Rodgers has been an elite QB in almost every measure (he's always taken too many sacks) but last year it sure seemed like the deep ball and the overall accuracy just weren't there. He still made good reads and great decisions but would get in trouble trying to make throws he could in 2020, but not in 2024.

He's definitely not the player he was. That's true of all players at the end.

But still #8 in passing yards last year.

And his accuracy has also fallen. But his 63% completion percentage is ok. Josh Allen (63.6%) and C.J. Stroud (63.2%) are comparable.

i think the biggest thing may be your last point. I do think managing the skills is likely a challenge. What he could do 2020 isn't the same as what he can do in 2025. Other first ballot Hall of Famers like Manning and Brady were able to make that mental adjustment at the end. It'll be interesting to see if Rodgers can.
He was #77 the year prior.

If you look at ypg he was #14 if I toss Milton and Garoppolo. Within rounding error of Daniels, Josh Allen, Herbert, Murray, Nix, Love, Flacco, and Wilson. He's pretty much washed and doesn't take his craft seriously. Unless you're in a 16 team superflex league he's done from a fantasy perspective.
 
Just saw a report on Sports Center that the Steelers are exploring Kirk Cousins's availability.

I approve.
Cousins had 20 more ypg past year. Far better option and he might show up to work with his teammates.
IMO at this point the only downside to Cousins v Rodgers is... honestly as I was typing that I forgot what it might have been.

Cousins >> Rodgers at this point IMO.
 
Rodgers has to be going to the Steelers. Making everybody wait this entire time only to retire would be the weakest move ever. :lol:

Like if that happened, I'd be here for the laughs but there's no way. Rodgers is going to a team he knows will finish over .500 so he can finish his career with some respect. One more winning season, playoff run, etc.


Guy just wants to know what it feels like to be a winner 1 more time.
Maybe the Steelers started the rumor about Cousins to light a fire under ARod. lol
 
What is Kirk worth? Compared to what the Steelers would pay for Kirk. Compared to what Atlanta would want for him?

And are you extending Cousins after the trade? It is all a fantasy unless Rodgers says no to the Steelers, and I think he is signing with them.
 
What is Kirk worth? Compared to what the Steelers would pay for Kirk. Compared to what Atlanta would want for him?

And are you extending Cousins after the trade? It is all a fantasy unless Rodgers says no to the Steelers, and I think he is signing with them.
IIRC Cousins has a somewhat large paycheck.

Per Over the Cap
In 2025, Kirk Cousins' guaranteed salary is $27.5 million. He is also due a $10 million roster bonus if he is still on the Atlanta Falcons' roster after the new league year begins. Cousins' cap hit for 2025 is $40 million

ARod said he’d play for ~$10M, but many here expressed doubt that would be true. Maybe $10 guaranteed + incentives?

Either way, ARod is way cheaper. But you might just get what ya pay for.
 
Rodgers has to be going to the Steelers. Making everybody wait this entire time only to retire would be the weakest move ever. :lol:

Like if that happened, I'd be here for the laughs but there's no way. Rodgers is going to a team he knows will finish over .500 so he can finish his career with some respect. One more winning season, playoff run, etc.


Guy just wants to know what it feels like to be a winner 1 more time.
IDK is finishing .500 + .01 really a motivator for him? I think, possibly but wouldn't you think that he wants to go out with a ring like Manning or Bettis?

Honestly I think he'd rather retire than finish his career trying, and failing to get another ring. Or at least not joining a team like the Steelers who have the makeup of a one-and-done team.

If he really thought the Steelers were a team to contend for a ring, wouldn't he be there for the start of OTAs?

IMO the Steelers are his in case of emergency break glass team. And I think, at this point Rodgers is the same for the Steelers.
 
If I were the Vikings' owner, signing Aaron would be a no-brainer he's a proven winner with the experience to back it up. His 2024 stats are right in line with JJ McCarthy’s 2025 projections, and with Minnesota’s offense, he should easily surpass them. It’s all about minimizing risk what if JJ hesitates under pressure or doesn’t live up to expectations? A veteran presence like Aaron eliminates that uncertainty.

Sam Howell as the backup potentially filling in as a starter is not the answer.
 
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."
 
What is Kirk worth? Compared to what the Steelers would pay for Kirk. Compared to what Atlanta would want for him?

And are you extending Cousins after the trade? It is all a fantasy unless Rodgers says no to the Steelers, and I think he is signing with them.
IIRC Cousins has a somewhat large paycheck.

Per Over the Cap
In 2025, Kirk Cousins' guaranteed salary is $27.5 million. He is also due a $10 million roster bonus if he is still on the Atlanta Falcons' roster after the new league year begins. Cousins' cap hit for 2025 is $40 million

ARod said he’d play for ~$10M, but many here expressed doubt that would be true. Maybe $10 guaranteed + incentives?

Either way, ARod is way cheaper. But you might just get what ya pay for.

Just to clarify, if any team trades for Cousins, Kirk's 2025 cap hit for that team would be his $27.5M salary. The roster bonus mentioned here is for 2026, but the team trading for Cousins could release him after the 2025 season with no further cap hits, as long as it is before the date of that roster bonus.

A team trading for Cousins could also restructure his contract to lower his 2025 cap hit by pushing more into 2026-2027.

Cousins has a no trade clause, meaning he would have to approve any trade.
 
Rodgers has to be going to the Steelers. Making everybody wait this entire time only to retire would be the weakest move ever. :lol:

Like if that happened, I'd be here for the laughs but there's no way. Rodgers is going to a team he knows will finish over .500 so he can finish his career with some respect. One more winning season, playoff run, etc.


Guy just wants to know what it feels like to be a winner 1 more time.
IDK is finishing .500 + .01 really a motivator for him? I think, possibly but wouldn't you think that he wants to go out with a ring like Manning or Bettis?

Honestly I think he'd rather retire than finish his career trying, and failing to get another ring. Or at least not joining a team like the Steelers who have the makeup of a one-and-done team.

If he really thought the Steelers were a team to contend for a ring, wouldn't he be there for the start of OTAs?

IMO the Steelers are his in case of emergency break glass team. And I think, at this point Rodgers is the same for the Steelers.

Torn Achilles (2023)
5-12 (2024)


We're talking about a 4 time MVP. He wants to leave the league with some dignity. Say what you want, the guy loves football. You don't become a 4 time MVP by not caring. He's obsessed.
I'm not doubting his talent from a.dew years ago, or his lifetime accomplishments. But don't tell me he "loves football" today. That might have been true for most of his very long career but, today? A guy who loves football would be showing up for OTAs with his new team.

If he loves football so much, why is he not signed with a team that clearly has structured their entire off-season program just to make him happy?
 
A team trading for Cousins could also restructure his contract to lower his 2025 cap hit by pushing more into 2026-2027.

As it stands right now, given theyre paying their current qbs combined, like, a dollar, the Steelers may be willing to eat the contract for a year and not worry about extending. Im not saying they should or that im championing the idea, just pointing out that finacially they probably could. They have the cap room. And with the almost certainly forthcoming TJ watt extension that would likely open up even more space.

Finances aside, the real rub with Kirk is the same rub with Rodgers: he is not the same quarterback he used to be, and he is incredibly immobile. Probably even moreso than A-A-ron. "Kirk Cousins might be the first QB to have a statue erected in his honor while still active. It's his own body." 🫠 Either guy is likely to get annihilated behind their OL if those two tackles don't pan.

For the team to have put themselves in a position to be considering the virtues of a couple near 40/over 40 year old dudes as "the best shot we have at QB for 2025" is pretty ridiculous.
 
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Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.
 
Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.

Just to be clear, "Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit" must mean they are not willing to cover any of his salary. They will indeed eat $37.5M for the bonuses already paid to him if they trade him. If the trade is after 6/1, they can spread it over 2025 and 2026 caps.
 
For the team to have put themselves in a position to be considering the virtues of a couple near 40/over 40 year old dudes as "the best shot we have at QB for 2025" is pretty ridiculous.
I agree but give them credit. They didn't 'Kenny Pickett' themselves by wasting a 1st round pick on a QB in a weak QB draft class.
I can't blame ANY team that didn't reach this year. You can't force talent to be available at a position of need, especially QB when it is just not there.
It 'seems' obvious that A-Rod was the plan all along and it is coming.
The only thing I 'question' is not extending Justin Fields.
Pittsburgh Steelers Depth Chart
Mason Rudolph
Will Howard
Skylar Thompson
NFL Player Passing Stats 2024
Aaron Rodgers NYJ
Kirk Cousins ATL
Mason Rudolph TEN
 
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We're talking about a 4 time MVP. He wants to leave the league with some dignity. Say what you want, the guy loves football. You don't become a 4 time MVP by not caring. He's obsessed.
If Rodgers was still obsessed he would not have missed mandatory minicamp last year to go on vacation.
If it's raining then the sky will be cloudy.
The sky is cloudy.
It is raining.
*checks out the window and sees a lack of rain*
Hmm....
 
Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.

Just to be clear, "Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit" must mean they are not willing to cover any of his salary. They will indeed eat $37.5M for the bonuses already paid to him if they trade him. If the trade is after 6/1, they can spread it over 2025 and 2026 caps.
You are correct sir. Incorrect wording on my part.
 
Rodgers has to be going to the Steelers. Making everybody wait this entire time only to retire would be the weakest move ever. :lol:

Like if that happened, I'd be here for the laughs but there's no way. Rodgers is going to a team he knows will finish over .500 so he can finish his career with some respect. One more winning season, playoff run, etc.


Guy just wants to know what it feels like to be a winner 1 more time.
IDK is finishing .500 + .01 really a motivator for him? I think, possibly but wouldn't you think that he wants to go out with a ring like Manning or Bettis?

Honestly I think he'd rather retire than finish his career trying, and failing to get another ring. Or at least not joining a team like the Steelers who have the makeup of a one-and-done team.

If he really thought the Steelers were a team to contend for a ring, wouldn't he be there for the start of OTAs?

IMO the Steelers are his in case of emergency break glass team. And I think, at this point Rodgers is the same for the Steelers.

Torn Achilles (2023)
5-12 (2024)


We're talking about a 4 time MVP. He wants to leave the league with some dignity. Say what you want, the guy loves football. You don't become a 4 time MVP by not caring. He's obsessed.
I'm not doubting his talent from a.dew years ago, or his lifetime accomplishments. But don't tell me he "loves football" today. That might have been true for most of his very long career but, today? A guy who loves football would be showing up for OTAs with his new team.

If he loves football so much, why is he not signed with a team that clearly has structured their entire off-season program just to make him happy?

Because last year when he skipped mini camp to go to Egypt he was chastised for it. Now, there won't be a single headline about it. Many veterans skip minicamp, including the GOAT Tom Brady. I don't think anyone here would question Brady's love and obsession of the game and even he in his 40s didn't want to do the whole song and dance.

20 seasons of professional football will wear you down.
Brady skipped OTAs in 2021 & 2022 with Tampa Bay.

Notably he did not skip OTAs in 2020, his first season with the Bucs.
 
Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.

Just to be clear, "Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit" must mean they are not willing to cover any of his salary. They will indeed eat $37.5M for the bonuses already paid to him if they trade him. If the trade is after 6/1, they can spread it over 2025 and 2026 caps.
I was under the impression that ATL would have to eat a $75M cap charge if they move off of Cousins (which could be split between this year and next year as a post 6/1 designee). However, the Falcons currently are only $5M under the cap, meaning they would have to start maneuvering to get under the cap if they planned on trading Cousins.
 
GOAT Tom Brady. I don't think anyone here would question Brady's love and obsession of the game
That’s because Brady has a reputation as a leader, not as a flake.

He also had 6 rings at that point, just a few more than A-A-Ron. And it didn’t hurt that Brady was still at the top of his game, going on to win another SB with the Bucs, while A-A-Ron is clearly in decline, despite a few cherry picked stats used to prop him up. Brady also didn’t have the off-field distractions ARod does. He missed camp to spend time with his family, not go on podcasts & [redacted].

Finally, for the sake of accuracy, many did criticize Brady when he skipped OTAs and part of camp. Some called out his leadership, some questions his commitment to the game & some speculated he was planning to retire (lol).

The comparison is bananas because it’s apples and oranges. Why am I suddenly craving fruit? :oldunsure:
 
GOAT Tom Brady. I don't think anyone here would question Brady's love and obsession of the game
That’s because Brady has a reputation as a leader, not as a flake.

He also had 6 rings at that point, just a few more than A-A-Ron. And it didn’t hurt that Brady was still at the top of his game, going on to win another SB with the Bucs, while A-A-Ron is clearly in decline, despite a few cherry picked stats used to prop him up. Brady also didn’t have the off-field distractions ARod does. He missed camp to spend time with his family, not go on podcasts & [redacted].

Finally, for the sake of accuracy, many did criticize Brady when he skipped OTAs and part of camp. Some called out his leadership, some questions his commitment to the game & some speculated he was planning to retire (lol).

The comparison is bananas because it’s apples and oranges. Why am I suddenly craving fruit? :oldunsure:
When Brady first signed with TB, he organized unofficial practices in public parks and schools with his receivers before they had any official team activities. That's polar opposite of Rodgers, who apparently would be content to meet his new teammates for the first time in the huddle of the first drive on opening day. Brady was not as active in his second preseason with the Bucs, but they had just won the SB.
 
Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.

Just to be clear, "Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit" must mean they are not willing to cover any of his salary. They will indeed eat $37.5M for the bonuses already paid to him if they trade him. If the trade is after 6/1, they can spread it over 2025 and 2026 caps.
I was under the impression that ATL would have to eat a $75M cap charge if they move off of Cousins (which could be split between this year and next year as a post 6/1 designee). However, the Falcons currently are only $5M under the cap, meaning they would have to start maneuvering to get under the cap if they planned on trading Cousins.

Cousins was paid a $50M signing bonus, which is amortized over the 4 years of his contract at $12.5M per year. $37.5M of that remains to be charged against the cap. If traded after 6/1, Atlanta will have a $12.5M cap hit in 2025 (which was already expected in 2025) and $25M cap hit in 2026.

But right now, Cousins' 2025 $27.5M salary is counting against Atlanta's 2025 cap, and that will go to the team that trades for him, giving Atlanta $27.5M in 2025 cap relief.

Cousins' 2026 roster bonus of $10M became guaranteed on the 5th day of the 2025 league year, but that responsibility will transfer to the team that trades for him.

I have to say, it's not appealing to trade for him, given the team getting him is going to pay him $37.5M even if he only plays one season and is released after 2025. But if he isn't released, his cap hit in 2026 will be $45M. Atlanta might need to give up draft picks in the trade just to get another team to take him. Atlanta was stupid to give him that contract. Kudos to Kirk's agent.
 
Yeah, I think at this point I'd rather gamble on A-Rod as a stop gap for 1 year. Realistically, I'd rather have Cousins at this point in their careers, but no way in hades I would want to pay what it would take to get Cousins. Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit. I think someone mentioned maybe getting Winston from the Giants. I'm sure he could be had for cheap and he'll push the ball down the field to keep the defense honest.

Just to be clear, "Atlanta has said they refuse to eat any of his cap hit" must mean they are not willing to cover any of his salary. They will indeed eat $37.5M for the bonuses already paid to him if they trade him. If the trade is after 6/1, they can spread it over 2025 and 2026 caps.
I was under the impression that ATL would have to eat a $75M cap charge if they move off of Cousins (which could be split between this year and next year as a post 6/1 designee). However, the Falcons currently are only $5M under the cap, meaning they would have to start maneuvering to get under the cap if they planned on trading Cousins.

Cousins was paid a $50M signing bonus, which is amortized over the 4 years of his contract at $12.5M per year. $37.5M of that remains to be charged against the cap. If traded after 6/1, Atlanta will have a $12.5M cap hit in 2025 (which was already expected in 2025) and $25M cap hit in 2026.

But right now, Cousins' 2025 $27.5M salary is counting against Atlanta's 2025 cap, and that will go to the team that trades for him, giving Atlanta $27.5M in 2025 cap relief.

Cousins' 2026 roster bonus of $10M became guaranteed on the 5th day of the 2025 league year, but that responsibility will transfer to the team that trades for him.

I have to say, it's not appealing to trade for him, given the team getting him is going to pay him $37.5M even if he only plays one season and is released after 2025. But if he isn't released, his cap hit in 2026 will be $45M. Atlanta might need to give up draft picks in the trade just to get another team to take him. Atlanta was stupid to give him that contract. Kudos to Kirk's agent.
Spotrac lists Cousins' dead cap number for this year at $75M, but that is only if he is outright released (I missed that part initially). If traded after 6/1, that would result in a $12.5M cap hit for this season and a $25M cap hit for next year (which aligns with what you just posted).
 
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
 
GOAT Tom Brady. I don't think anyone here would question Brady's love and obsession of the game
That’s because Brady has a reputation as a leader, not as a flake.

He also had 6 rings at that point, just a few more than A-A-Ron. And it didn’t hurt that Brady was still at the top of his game, going on to win another SB with the Bucs, while A-A-Ron is clearly in decline, despite a few cherry picked stats used to prop him up. Brady also didn’t have the off-field distractions ARod does. He missed camp to spend time with his family, not go on podcasts & [redacted].

Finally, for the sake of accuracy, many did criticize Brady when he skipped OTAs and part of camp. Some called out his leadership, some questions his commitment to the game & some speculated he was planning to retire (lol).

The comparison is bananas because it’s apples and oranges. Why am I suddenly craving fruit? :oldunsure:
I love oranges.
 
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
Also worth noting that Rudolph arguably had less to work with than A-A-Ron.

And not for nuthin, teammates seem to love Rudolph.
 
Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
I have been posting that Rodgers wasn't that great last year, so I am generally in the camp that he would be a mediocre signing for the Steelers. IMO, he may not be totally washed up, but I don't see him reverting back to MVP form, and he hasn't made a deep playoff run in a long time. That being said, even though the numbers posted here were similar, Rodgers had a better rating than Rudolph (90.5 to 80.1) and a better AY/A (6.78 to 5.72). None of that probably matters much, as the Steelers aren't the Titans or Jets. If the Steelers consider themselves a QB away, they haven't really put themselves in a position to roll out an impact QB (at least of the options that appear to be available to them at the moment).
 
All of this is moot if the defense gets rolled for 35 points in a playoff game.

I do not see A Rodgers/Pittsburgh starter overcoming that with this offense.
Are they in the Texans, Broncos, and Chargers tier?
 
Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
I have been posting that Rodgers wasn't that great last year, so I am generally in the camp that he would be a mediocre signing for the Steelers. IMO, he may not be totally washed up, but I don't see him reverting back to MVP form, and he hasn't made a deep playoff run in a long time. That being said, even though the numbers posted here were similar, Rodgers had a better rating than Rudolph (90.5 to 80.1) and a better AY/A (6.78 to 5.72). None of that probably matters much, as the Steelers aren't the Titans or Jets. If the Steelers consider themselves a QB away, they haven't really put themselves in a position to roll out an impact QB (at least of the options that appear to be available to them at the moment).
I think the Steelers are a QB away from barely making the playoffs again and losing in that first game. Puzzling what they are doing or thinking at this point.
 
Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
I have been posting that Rodgers wasn't that great last year, so I am generally in the camp that he would be a mediocre signing for the Steelers. IMO, he may not be totally washed up, but I don't see him reverting back to MVP form, and he hasn't made a deep playoff run in a long time. That being said, even though the numbers posted here were similar, Rodgers had a better rating than Rudolph (90.5 to 80.1) and a better AY/A (6.78 to 5.72). None of that probably matters much, as the Steelers aren't the Titans or Jets. If the Steelers consider themselves a QB away, they haven't really put themselves in a position to roll out an impact QB (at least of the options that appear to be available to them at the moment).
I think the Steelers are a QB away from barely making the playoffs again and losing in that first game. Puzzling what they are doing or thinking at this point.

Much of the league would like to be in a spot where they make the playoffs and take their chances in the first round with where it goes from there.
 
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
Also worth noting that Rudolph arguably had less to work with than A-A-Ron.

And not for nuthin, teammates seem to love Rudolph.

If you're the Steelers, would you rather have Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers as the starter this season?
 
If you're the Steelers, would you rather have Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers as the starter this season?
The correct answer should be neither. Both guys shouldn't be considered an upgrade to the guys they had last year (and neither one would be productive enough to make them a title contender). IMO, it would be another wasted season and another one where they did not address their long-term QB issues that have plagued them since Big Ben retired. These guys have been "good enough" (to make the playoffs) . . . but they haven't really been top-tier "good."
 
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
Also worth noting that Rudolph arguably had less to work with than A-A-Ron.

And not for nuthin, teammates seem to love Rudolph.

If you're the Steelers, would you rather have Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers as the starter this season?

If I am the Steelers, I am playing the long game, not the short game focused exclusively on 2025 (assuming I have no option to be a true 2025 Super Bowl contender, and I don't think Rodgers provides that). Thus, if forced to choose between only those two options, I'll take Rudolph and sacrifice 2025 for better draft capital and more cap space in 2026.
 
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I think the Steelers are a QB away from barely making the playoffs again and losing in that first game.
Yeah, this is a point I've made a few times now, and a question I've asked a couple folks (no answer was given in response). Basically boils down to "what's the point of signing a FA cagey veteran if you're not in a situation like TB when they went out and signed Brady?"

The Steelers offense is messy. They have DKM now (who IMO they overpaid), to ship out the younger WR with huge ceiling (but was kind of a flake), and didn't draft a QB to develop like Milroe or Dart. Their receiving corps is DKM, the ghost of Robert Woods, and Calvin Austin III, with Roman Wilson & Scotty Miller as depth & 'Mouth at TE. That's not terrible, but it's also not exactly on par with playoff caliber teams like MIN (JJ/Addison/Hock), TB (Evans/Godwin/Otton), PHI (AJB/Smith/Gogurt), etc, etc, etc.

So what are the short/long term goals here? I can maybe squint a little and see that they think ARod can be ressurected to make the pllayoffs, but are they going to win any playoff games?
Dan Graziano:
On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh. "Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel. "He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

Looking at Rudolph's starts last year, this was actually a lot closer than I thought. Basically identical except that Rudolph had a higher propensity to throw INTs.

Yards per game
Rudolph: 229
Rodgers: 229

TDs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 1.6

INTs per game
Rudolph: 1.5
Rodgers: 0.6

YPA
Rudolph: 6.8
Rodgers: 6.7

Completion pct
Rudolph: 64%
Rodgers: 63%
Also worth noting that Rudolph arguably had less to work with than A-A-Ron.

And not for nuthin, teammates seem to love Rudolph.

If you're the Steelers, would you rather have Mason Rudolph or Aaron Rodgers as the starter this season?
Sorry, I thought I’d made that clear earlier when asked previously what I would do if I were the Steelers GM. Same response: I would roll out Rudolph for much cheaper, and would have drafted a Dart (or other rookie) to develop & maybe get some reps down the stretch while improving my draft pick for 2026. Maybe I just start Rudolph hoping for a better QB class.

Either situation, I don’t see the point of paying ARod given the context of the 2025 Steelers roster.

One back at you (again): do you believe the 2025 Steelers are an Aaron Rodgers away from a Super Bowl? Or even a deep playoff run?

If not, why bother?
 
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The correct answer should be neither. Both guys shouldn't be considered an upgrade to the guys they had last year (and neither one would be productive enough to make them a title contender). IMO, it would be another wasted season and another one where they did not address their long-term QB issues that have plagued them since Big Ben retired. These guys have been "good enough" (to make the playoffs) . . . but they haven't really been top-tier "good."
This exactly.
 

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