Mason the person Aaron the player.
Fantasy Football - Footballguys Forums
This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!
QB Aaron Rodgers, PIT (4 Viewers)
- Thread starter Raider Nation
- Start date
Again? I don't believe the Steelers are likely an Aaron Rodgers away from a Super Bowl.
For "Why bother?", maybe because they're a professional football franchise?
Their job is to be the best they can. I can't imagine any team as competitive as the Steelers giving up and mailing it in or saying why bother before the season because they weren't a QB away from a Super Bowl or deep playoff run.
Last edited:
Tau837
Footballguy
You can't imagine? So you don't think any team ever in NFL history has mailed in a season as part of a rebuild?
Or Rudolph threw more than twice as many interceptions per game. Some coaches put a high negative value on interceptions.
Another way to see it as @SHH mentioned:
Rudolph Career: 28 TD, 20 INT, 84.7 Rating
Rodgers 2025 Season: 28 TD, 11 INT, 90.5 Rating
Good point. I can't imagine any team as competitive as the Steelers saying "why bother" if they didn't feel they could make the Super Bowl.
Tau837
Footballguy
OK, so you can imagine it for NFL teams, just not for the Steelers. You may be right about that. But it is also hard to imagine the Steelers of all proud and storied NFL franchises inviting in a diva QB like Rodgers, who comes with a drama circus. If they do, I predict it won't work out very well, and they will regret the decision.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
I’d asked previously, but you select-quoted something else. Not a big deal, just saying I’d asked it before.
We’re in agreement here.
Isn’t a big part of being a professional football franchise building for the future? Making responsible moves, even if they set your organization back short term?
Working towards that ultimate goal that every “professional football franchise” aspires to of winning the SB?
You can’t imagine a team wanting to have better long term organizational prospects for those things by making short term sacrifices with good management decisions?
I can’t imagine squandering a year with a has-been knowingly neither competing for the prize nor building for the future. That seems like organizational malpractice to me.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
This, to me, is the logical approach.
I’d go so far as to suggest fans of the team are smart enough to understand the long term implications, especially in the context of the short term team build & upside (or lack thereof).
My mom is extremely competitive, but at 83 I don’t want her tryna win a swim meet or get into competitive water polo. I’m just saying, it’s important to be realistic about one’s situation.
No worries, we can disagree there. I think taking your best shot and going with Rodgers is the right move.
I think saying "why bother' and rolling out a guy like Mason Rudolph as the starter would be NFL malpractice.
But different opinions are what makes the game interesting. Thanks for sharing yours.
nightmare
Footballguy
The Steelers are not as competitive. They are the perennial low seed, least respected, playoff doormat.
The 2020-2022 Texans were bad. The 2016-2020 Broncos were not good. The 2019-2021 Chargers were not good.
I think all three of these teams NOW can go further then the Steelers in the playoffs.
I think they are all building/heading to a more more competitive place then the Steelers.
Agreed. Hope is powerful.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
If I’m a Steelers fan, I’m livid about the entire offseason approach. Heck, I’m still livid that they had 2 competent QBs in-house and twiddled their thumbs when FA started.
As a 49er fan, I recall a certain era where they tried to keep the good times rolling with mediocrity, and it was a decade-long disaster.
FarFromHome
Footballguy
This Cousins talk sure feels like a leverage play towards Rodgers. A little leak here a little leak there and surprise surprise Rodgers shows up. Postering against Mr Rodgers needs to be delicate though.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
That was my 1st thought, posted it earlier. Great minds think alike.
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.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?
- YouTube
Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtube.com
floods
Footballguy
Steelers, choose your Achilles repair!
Cousins never reached the heights of Rodgers, but you know you're getting a low-drama, high-character leader in him. He has less sizzle, though. -2 to hope roll.
osubuckeyeman
Footballguy
The same is achieved by drafting a quarterback.
In the rare instance where a team is beyond hope, I guess it imaginable they might say "why bother" and just mail it in. I don't see any NFL teams this year that would do that.
Totally unimaginable to me that the Steelers would give up and say "why bother" this year.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Some might argue to a much greater degree.
Interestingly, they've tried and failed at both methods with Pickett and Russell.
I can see why they're hesitant.
If their objective is to be competitive, then go trade for Kirk Cousins or sign someone like Ryan Tannehill. Both of them give the Steelers a better chance to win. Rodgers surely isn't the answer and given his age he might be even worse this year. Frankly I don't think he will be appreciably better than Mason Rudolph this year.
JohnnyU
Footballguy
I’d rather win 2 than win 8, so go with the guy that’s going to give you the better 2026 pick, because that team isn’t winning anything substantial in 2025 either way.
Before the 1970s, the Steelers were a forgettable franchise, with the Rooney family seemingly more invested in horse racing than football. Among their worst missteps were letting Johnny Unitas and Len Dawson slip away both went on to become Hall of Fame quarterbacks elsewhere.
The arrival of Chuck Noll in 1969 changed everything, leading to a dynasty that won four Super Bowls in six seasons.
Yet today, some fans feel the team has regressed, consistently making the playoffs only to falter in the first round. While far from their early struggles, the Steelers still seem to be searching for the spark to reclaim their dominance. Personally, I see the Steelers kicking the can down road by signing Aaron.
The arrival of Chuck Noll in 1969 changed everything, leading to a dynasty that won four Super Bowls in six seasons.
Yet today, some fans feel the team has regressed, consistently making the playoffs only to falter in the first round. While far from their early struggles, the Steelers still seem to be searching for the spark to reclaim their dominance. Personally, I see the Steelers kicking the can down road by signing Aaron.
Sure. If they truly don't think Rodgers will be better than Rudolph, they shouldn't do it. What you're talking about is a difference in valuation.
I think absolutely their objective is to be competitive. Do you not?
Thanks. If you were handed the GM reins today, what would you do?
Every team wants to be competitive and give themselves the best chance to win. But there's a cost to everything. It's clear Kirk Cousins is better than Rodgers and there are other QBs they could trade for. They could have signed Joe Flacco who is better. They had and still have all kinds of options. Both of last year's QBs were better options.
If the Steelers really think Rodgers gives them a better chance to win that last year's QBs or some of this years available QBs then I have to question their judgment.
I would think so. But not everyone thinks that.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
100% agreed. I think most knowledgeable fans of the franchise would also agree.
Short term gains of “selling jerseys and seats to watch the Aaron Rodgers farewell tour” are vastly outweighed by long term health of the franchise.
I’m sure sports writers and those who’s livelihood depends on juicy articles about struggling QBs on once great teams will disagree.
For sure!Joe you're giving me the Hypothetical GM role
But only taking it over today. That makes it a little tougher.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Pretty sure everyone thinks that.
But some folks look at things long term and some look at things short term.
“Chance to win” requires some context.
If you're the GM of the Pittsburgh Steelers, you're working under an ownership and coaching structure that seems increasingly out of touch with the modern NFL. While Omar Khan has influence in decision making, it often feels like the owner and head coach exert too much control. Take, for example, Rooney's insistence on drafting Kenny Picket an approach that may have been more about local ties than pure football evaluation. Meanwhile, Mike Tomlin has a habit of getting overly attached to certain players, sometimes to the team's detriment.
Looking at the Steelers' drafts over the past decade, the results have been mixed at best. There have been a few bright spots, but the collective performance in selecting talent has been underwhelming. Case in point Jarvis Jones, once a highly touted prospect, is now a high school head coach, proving to be one of the more notable draft busts in recent memory.
The franchise's commitment to tradition and stability is commendable, but in an evolving NFL landscape, it raises questions about whether the Steelers' leadership is adapting quickly enough to stay competitive.
Looking at the Steelers' drafts over the past decade, the results have been mixed at best. There have been a few bright spots, but the collective performance in selecting talent has been underwhelming. Case in point Jarvis Jones, once a highly touted prospect, is now a high school head coach, proving to be one of the more notable draft busts in recent memory.
The franchise's commitment to tradition and stability is commendable, but in an evolving NFL landscape, it raises questions about whether the Steelers' leadership is adapting quickly enough to stay competitive.
5-ish Finkle
Footballguy
Choosing to take this as a MERP reference.
Didnt have that on my bingo card of "stuff im likely to see on FBG today."
Great. You're granted it. What do you do starting today for the 2025 season?
Skipdog77
Footballguy
If Rodgers was actually concerned at all about "the team" and winning, he'd have signed already, been ready to participate in OTAs this week, and putting in the work to learn a new playbook, assimilate into a new team culture, and start building chemistry with his new teammates.
He's wasting valuable time to help make this team "win". If he goes there it will have nothing to do with wins.
He's wasting valuable time to help make this team "win". If he goes there it will have nothing to do with wins.
osubuckeyeman
Footballguy
They have zero choice now—two Choices, maybe three—#1. Sign Aaron Rodgers or another free-agent quarterback and hope for a Super Bowl run or complete meltdown to get the highest pick in next year's draft, which is being held in Pittsburgh. #2 Go with what they currently have in the room and see what happens. I guess that is two with a hybrid result with #1.
They can sign two free-agent quarterbacks like the Giants did before drafting Dart. That would give them two options with some of the group they have now. I also suppose they could trade for a quarterback and hope for the best, so that could be #3. I can not see a world where they would trade for somebody at this point, but all options should be looked at and discussed if you were the GM. Trading for Kirk Cousins would be addressed, but it is not an option; everything must be discussed. I suppose there could be a trade for a mystery quarterback.
What would I do today? I would sit down with ownership and gently explain that we must roll with what we have and hope for the best. I do not believe the team is in a Super Bowl window, and we need to have a plan for 2026. Should Rudolph or Howard surprise? That would be great. If we only win two games this season, then we draft the future signal caller in Pittsburgh on April 23rd, 2026, on opening night in front of the home crowd and make a real show out of it!!! If ownership disagrees, we do what ownership says and act like it was my decision, whatever that decision was. I can not sign a 41-year-old quarterback, and hope the 42-year-old quarterback can be my guy next year for that season. I can not trade for and sign a quarterback one year off his Achilles tear, who did not look like himself, and give up draft capital to do it on top of paying his contract, even if the Falcons agree to pay for some of it.
The Steelers have found themselves in a pickle, no matter what. Their future quarterback will most likely not be on their roster in 2025 unless Will Howard is the second coming of Tom Brady. Though I'm an Ohio State fan, I'm not delusional. I would love to see a Buckeye do well, even for the Steelers, just not against my Bengals.
brewer
Footballguy
I would trade TJ Watt while he is still worth something, try to work out a trade for Cousins and draft my franchise QB next year with the draft capital they already have plus what you gain in the Watt deal.
brewer
Footballguy
If Cousins deal is too much, I would absolutely be willing to roll with Rudolph and Howard this year. I do not think this version of Aaron Rodgers is worth the trouble.
Uruk-Hai
Footballguy
I'd trade for Jameis Winston.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Tannehill has said he would return for a perfect situation.
I’m thinking the Steelers would be less than perfect. Given their price, maybe they should bring both in and hold a competition.
I’m sure A-A-Ron would welcome that with open arms.
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
lmao post of the day.
Bradshaw: Steelers' interest in Rodgers 'a joke'
Four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw, a Steelers legend, isn't a fan of the Pittsburgh's pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, telling an Arkansas radio station on Tuesday that the club's interest in the 41-year-old signal-caller "is just a joke."
Hot Sauce Guy
Footballguy
Bradshaw: Steelers' interest in Rodgers 'a joke'
Four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw, a Steelers legend, isn't a fan of the Pittsburgh's pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, telling an Arkansas radio station on Tuesday that the club's interest in the 41-year-old signal-caller "is just a joke."www.espn.com
This is an all-time gem:
Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.
He goes on to be heavily critical of the Steelers for their ham-fisted handling of Pickett. Bradshaw might have lost a couple mph off of his fastball but he’s still a dude who’s been in and around the NFL longer than some of us have been alive. (In my case since birth - I was born just before his rookie season)
That organization is a mess, and I fail to see how bringing in ARod is the answer to what ails them. ARod seems more like another problem than a solution.
Can’t wait to see it in action.
osubuckeyeman
Footballguy
The football side is more than reason enough to look into different directions, but there is an element to Rodgers outside of football that would need to be considered. When things are going well, Aaron can be a good person in the locker room; players seem to like him. When things are not going so well, the other side of Rodgers seems to come out, and that other side has worsened over the years. I can look past that with good production, but when you get to the middle of the road, you become a problem.Bradshaw: Steelers' interest in Rodgers 'a joke'
Four-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw, a Steelers legend, isn't a fan of the Pittsburgh's pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, telling an Arkansas radio station on Tuesday that the club's interest in the 41-year-old signal-caller "is just a joke."
This is an all-time gem:
Humor aside, Bradshaw knows ball. He knows organizations. I’ll go with his take on ARod over almost anyone not in football.
He goes on to be heavily critical of the Steelers for their ham-fisted handling of Pickett. Bradshaw might have lost a couple mph off of his fastball but he’s still a dude who’s been in and around the NFL longer than some of us have been alive. (In my case since birth - I was born just before his rookie season)
That organization is a mess, and I fail to see how bringing in ARod is the answer to what ails them. ARod seems more like another problem than a solution.
Can’t wait to see it in action.
Aaron Rodgers is very intelligent and speaks very well. I can respect him and his opinions because we all have opinions. They may differ from mine, and I will disagree with him on all kinds of things, but I can not dispute his intelligence. My issue with the Steelers and Rodgers is on the football side. The idea makes no sense to me. They could prove me wrong by winning a Super Bowl, and I will be the first one to say that a good job was all worth it; however, anything outside of winning it all, then this was a bad idea. I suppose they only win two games, which makes the process okay as long as there is no real damage to the locker room. Honestly, I would be more worried about Watt, but I think something gets done there. Rodgers will show or not, but Watt is even more important now than Rodgers.
