Snotbubbles
Footballguy
I think the Steelers would be better off trying to develop Fields.
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QB Aaron Rodgers, Free Agent (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Raider Nation
- Start date
I think the Steelers would be better off trying to develop Fields.
Grahamburn
Footballguy
Fields got benched there after going 4-2.
Assuming he wants an opportunity to start why would he sign there?
If they were going to develop him they would have done it last year.
A Rodgers/Adams to Pitt combo makes a lot of sense. Draft Egbuka or Burden. Boom. Complimentary offense.
Remember they did not pull off the trade for Fields until after they had already signed Russ and the only reason Fields started those first few games was because Russ was hurt. Whether promises were made to Russ or Tomlin's affinity for him is just super strong but the plan was always go with Russ. If he's out of the picture things change.
To much is made of the 4-2 record IMO, as in giving Fields to much credit. The defense had not yet crumbled and surrendered 6,10, 10 and 13 points in the 4 wins.
Fields market will be interesting. A ton of QB needy teams but interest in him last year was minimal. Maybe that interest is higher, maybe not much. My guess is no team is going to pay him starters money or guarantee him the starting job as I don't think he did much to change his value around the league, just maybe more need this time around. But resigning with the Steelers on assumption Wilson does not likely gives him as good of a shot at being a starter next year as he could hope to find on the open market.
I'd also contend they did develop him last year. Obvously got 6 starts and Fields once said he grew up patterning his game after Wilson and he had a chunk of the season to sit behind him and learn from a veteran QB and familarize himself with Arthur Smith's offense.
As a Steeler's fan I do NOT want him back unless they just crap out on every other option or he's really cheap. Not a fan.
Rodgers has some appeal to me but do they to him? There are reasons I'd think he'd prefer other options but the one thing going for the Steelers is as of now they are the only playoff team desperate for a QB. The other current QB desperate teams are sorry and/or in rebuilds.
Should things go south with Stafford and the Rams contract talks I've long thought their pivot would be to add Cousins or Rodgers and probably draft, though people keep trying to tell me McVay loves Jimmy G I just find it hard to believe you can count on him from a health angle. But that's the kind of destination I think Rodgers would jump at if the opportunity opens.
I'd list Steelers and Titans as the most likely landing spots for Rodgers as of now, with the Rams jumping to top of that list if Stafford exits.
pinkstapler
Footballguy
Yup. Pretty much all this.
And Titans are at least in a position to take their rookie QB of choice if they want. I think with 1.01 they'd also be starting Ward/Sanders immediately.
Pitt could potentially get one of the next tier of Dart/Milroe/Ewers (ew gross). And Dart, with a good combine showing and continued positive press, might get taken before pick 21 at this point. Milroe would be a reach even in the second round. Ewers is getting graded as practically undraftable by some camps. While they could push Dart out there and potentially not have it blow up in their face; with adding any of these three I'd hope they'd secure a vet bridge guy to at least limp them through 2025. Rodgers seems like the best bet for me.
It all depends on the type of Steelers fan you are. If you're looking for the best chance to win the Steelers' first playoff game in nearly eight years, I'd suggest going with Matthew Stafford and focusing on hitting the draft picks and free agents.
On the other hand, if your goal is to tank for the highest pick in 2026, then signing someone like Aaron Rodgers or another seasoned player like Jimmy Garoppolo might be the way to go. The Jet's had better skill players than the Steeler's.
If you're being realistic, you should hope for the return of Justin Fields, who Tomlin benched, and also try to sign a better-than-average QB2 who fits Arthur Smith Jr.'s offense, such as Daniel Jones.
In my opinion, Mike Tomlin overestimates his intelligence. If he were truly wise, he would have reached out to Sean Payton to understand why he moved on. Instead, Tomlin believed he could salvage Russell. The overall problem with the Steelers' offense is that it's ultra-conservative and relies too heavily on tight ends. But regardless of what anyone thinks about Russell he was a good pickup on the cheap.
On the other hand, if your goal is to tank for the highest pick in 2026, then signing someone like Aaron Rodgers or another seasoned player like Jimmy Garoppolo might be the way to go. The Jet's had better skill players than the Steeler's.
If you're being realistic, you should hope for the return of Justin Fields, who Tomlin benched, and also try to sign a better-than-average QB2 who fits Arthur Smith Jr.'s offense, such as Daniel Jones.
In my opinion, Mike Tomlin overestimates his intelligence. If he were truly wise, he would have reached out to Sean Payton to understand why he moved on. Instead, Tomlin believed he could salvage Russell. The overall problem with the Steelers' offense is that it's ultra-conservative and relies too heavily on tight ends. But regardless of what anyone thinks about Russell he was a good pickup on the cheap.
Snotbubbles
Footballguy
It's almost as if you didn't watch Aaron Rodgers play at all in New York this season. He's cooked.
Yes if Tennesse wants to or thinks they might want to draft one of those QB's then they won't want to mess with Rodgers and of course should they sign him would be a massive tell in their plans at 1.1. I'm of the opinion right now they don't want to draft one of those QB's at 1.1 but I'm a long way away from being super strong in that opinion or to say something like "I'd be shocked" if they did it. I do think out of the top 3 teams drafting, the Giants are the most likely of those 3 to take a QB, that I feel strongly about unless they land one somehow between now and then.
On the next tier of QB's I think you might want to start including Shough who I believe has a realistic shot to be QB3 but I'd guess is QB4 in consensus across the league. I feel like he and Dart have broke off from that next pack.
Regarding Milroe. He's one of the reasons I'd rather see the Steelers not retain Fields because of Art Rooney's yammering on at the end of the season about how much he felt it was critical to have two QB's with similar skill sets. So I fear if we retain Fields they will heavily target Milroe, won't dare pass him in round 2 if they can even hold out that long without trying to move up.
I can't say I agree with this, feel like Rodgers gives them their best shot of NOT tanking, which if course they never try and do.
No offense but extreme massive disagreement with this opinion. First of why Payton moved on from Wilson was clear for everyone to see. Most notably was his contract locked in more future guarantees if they did not cut him and he was just not a good fit but the money was the deal killer. Obtaining Wilson for $1.6M was an incredible move, for that cost no one needed Wilson to be remotely salvaged even though there were a lot of reasons to think that could be done, most notably a 26/8 TD to INT ratio and tying for the league lead in 4th quarter comebacks. But that's beside the point when you are talking about getting him for $1.6M. That was money very well spent, crazy to bag on Tomlin for that.
Menobrown you're killing me. How do you explain the Jet's going 5-12 with arguably better offensive skill players?
Also, I know stats are meant to be manipulated but I can't get this one out of my head. The Jet's defense is ranked higher here.
I'm going short here not doing much more in depth analysis. I just hope the Steelers stay FAR away from AR.
One can bag on Mike because the experiment didn't work. Mike removed Justin from being the starter. But stuck with Russell in a MASSIVE 5-game skid. That was so painful to watch.
Also, I know stats are meant to be manipulated but I can't get this one out of my head. The Jet's defense is ranked higher here.
I'm going short here not doing much more in depth analysis. I just hope the Steelers stay FAR away from AR.
One can bag on Mike because the experiment didn't work. Mike removed Justin from being the starter. But stuck with Russell in a MASSIVE 5-game skid. That was so painful to watch.
brewer
Footballguy
I'm trying to envision the conversation between the Steelers and Rodgers
Hey Aaron, how would you like to become a Steeler?
We would like to have you throw the ball 100 times less and hand it off 100 times more than you did last year.
You see our most talented receiver has an awful attitude and quits on any play where he is not the main target.
Our offensive line is also going to be one of the youngest in the league and has yet to gel.
Our lead RB is likely to be a rookie, we know how you love working with them.
Our defense is not living up to it's billing but it is taking over half of our salary cap so we will need you to take a cap friendly deal as well.
How does that sound?
Aaron, are you still there?
Hey Aaron, how would you like to become a Steeler?
We would like to have you throw the ball 100 times less and hand it off 100 times more than you did last year.
You see our most talented receiver has an awful attitude and quits on any play where he is not the main target.
Our offensive line is also going to be one of the youngest in the league and has yet to gel.
Our lead RB is likely to be a rookie, we know how you love working with them.
Our defense is not living up to it's billing but it is taking over half of our salary cap so we will need you to take a cap friendly deal as well.
How does that sound?
Aaron, are you still there?
pinkstapler
Footballguy
Nail on the head on where about I am right now in my rookie draft prep. Went about 25-30 deep on WR and RB, about 15 deep on TE, and have been putting off QB outside those top 5 just because it got so ugly so quick it was very unenjoyable lol. But considering their relative values there could certainly be some good picks I can nab in the middle rounds of a SF rookie draft when the cost is negligible vs the value of getting even a low end couple year starter. Then I normally don't go much deeper until post combine once everything becomes a little bit more clear.
And ugh, yeah I hadn't heard/read that about Rooney. Sounds like a bad scenario for us. Not that I am a Pickens apologist, but it just seems like reality that if we don't get a QB who can consistently feed him half decent throws he will continue to spiral mentally till we have no choice but to basically give away a very talented WR for very little in return. Doubt Milroe would be that guy.
pinkstapler
Footballguy
I think when he sees the caller ID on his other phone is the Browns is what matters more than anything else you said; not to minimize some of the valid criticisms you brought up. Fact is though that even with all that nonsense, we made the playoffs last year. And most of those issues, until we have definitive proof, should be improving next season of this past one.
brewer
Footballguy
It's a Rodgers thread so I won't derail further, but as a Steelers fan, I would rather trade TJ Watt while he's worth something and draft a QB next year when the selections coming out of college are better. Yes, they made the playoffs, but they were far from a Superbowl capable team. Rodgers wouldn't have changed that.
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Dysfunction and poorly coached franchise. Fields record as a starter is 10-28 outside of Pittsburgh and like I said he did not really do much in the games he was starter when we won.
It was a successful experiment for the cost but I don't know what you are discussing now as we've moved from signing Russ being an issue to making him the starter over Fields but I don't think Fields would have made a difference in any of those games. All beside the point to how incredible it is to get Wilson for $1.6m and how off it is to bag on Tomlin for making that move. I got nothing else to say on it.
Snotbubbles
Footballguy
That sounds almost identical to what people were saying about Jalen Hurts this season. He did absolutely nothing as a passer for about 3.5 months. He literally spent much of the season handing the ball off to Barkley or running when he didn't. You can win that way.
Everyone knows Russell was brought in on the cheap. We both see that as a good move. One could argue the Steelers are poorly coached. But not as bad as the Jets. I was bagging on Mike Tomlin because he chose to stay with Russell in the 5-game skid. He was eager to pull Justin going 4-2. The oxymoron is that he didn't pull Russell.
Russell Wilson was a failed experiment fueled by cheap labor and the lore of yester year.
Russell Wilson was a failed experiment fueled by cheap labor and the lore of yester year.
Stretch much?
Grahamburn
Footballguy
A Wilson/Fields combo is going to make any line look bad.
I’m just looking for fits in an Aaron Rodgers thread.
The Steelers fit.
Snotbubbles
Footballguy
Nope, 4 years ago Jalen Hurts couldn't read a defense. The Eagles started using RPOs where Hurts only had to make one read. They started putting playmakers around him to make it easy for him. Steelers need to upgrade their offensive line and get playmakers on offense and Fields will be fine, better than Rodgers who is a one and done player.
pinkstapler
Footballguy
It feels almost sacrilegious as a fan to agree with trading away our marquee defensive players as that feels like the only shadow we still retain of the teams I grew up watching.... but if it could land us a top 3 QB next year I think I'd hold my nose and cover my eyes and pull the trigger on that as well.
fatness
Footballguy
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
You can always count on The Onion to give you the real scoop.
Snoopy
Footballguy
Onion dip?
Neil Beaufort Zod
Footballguy
One of my favorite Onion headlines was "Man at bar complaining about his job turns out to be Eli Manning."
Neil Beaufort Zod
Footballguy
Rodgers' big advantage was how well he took care of the ball. He no longer does that. The Packers saw it his last year with the team.
I think his eyes are young but his arm is old. He sees the plays he wants to make, or still thinks he can improv his way to success. But his body can't do that anymore. I can't imagine why a team would want him at this stage.
I think his eyes are young but his arm is old. He sees the plays he wants to make, or still thinks he can improv his way to success. But his body can't do that anymore. I can't imagine why a team would want him at this stage.
Alex P Keaton
Footballguy
I think he’s also predictable. He refuses to be coached or let an OC run an offense — he just audibles and does it his own way. And bluntly, Rodgers isn’t elite anymore and DCs have more time to evaluate his tape than he has to evaluate theirs.
But yeah, like you said his arm is definitely not where it used to be, and he still thinks it is.
fatness
Footballguy
I liked the one about MLB distributing prostate awareness bats.
Leroy Hoard
Footballguy
Yeah Stafford staying with Rams.
Well if there's a team dumb enough to add a 41 year old Aaron Rodgers to a 3-14 team, it's the same team that gave Daniel Jones $40 million/year
Id agree with this. Fields did not actually put up anywhere close to impressive stats. but what he did show is that he has figured out how not to beat himself.
in the past he would take chances and throw that interception to allow the other team to get back in the game. In Pittsburgh that didnt happen.
in the end, he only passed for 250 yards in 2 of his 6 games. he failed to hit 160 yards in the remaining 4.
you gotta give him credit for winning the games he won. but you also have to acknowledge if the Defense wasnt playing championship football he would have lost some more games.
in my opinion, he is a starting calibre QB. but not a high end starter. If they can develop him some more they may have something..... maybe. But the bar needs to be higher than where it was with him last year because a defense cannot play that way 95% of the time.
if he can keep the turnovers to a minimum like last year and consistently get 250+ yards in the majority of his games, while keeping that floor yardage above 200 he could be an effective game manager. But I dont see the upside you need to win a championship with him. Not yet anyways.
there will be demand for his services, but he needs to continue to improve.
If I was needy I'd likely throw him a 2 year contract with 1 year of his salary guaranteed. If you can manage a 3 year deal with only one year guaranteed, great. but that will likely cost more. Hes not someone I'd wanna give a lot of term or guaranteed money to.
I dont mind guaranteeing 1 year of the salary as you are probably giving a 1 year audition. beyond that, I'd be skeptical about further guarantees.
fatness
Footballguy
Matthew Berry’s 25 Most Interesting Things He Heard At 2025 NFL Combine
Matthew Berry reveals the 25 most interesting things he heard at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, and tells a story about the time he got a ride back to his hotel on Jerry Jones' bus.
www.nbcsports.com
"I’ve been told that Rodgers is now looking at three options, ranked here in order of likeliness as it was told to me: First, go to the New York Giants. Second, go to the Tennessee Titans. Third, stay in shape and wait for an injury/opening on a winning team with playoff chances."
zamboni
Footballguy
I can sort of understand the Giants in that Daboll/Schoen are assuredly on the hot seat and can't wait for a rookie to develop. If they go the veteran route, I'm not sure Rodgers would be a better option than a Darnold, Wilson or Cousins, but that's why they get paid the big bucks.
That would be why they would do it, but just dumb from a franchise perspective. Darnold would be only option that would make any sense at all.
Birdie048
Footballguy
I don't think he gets a contract he really wants, but might accept something just to "prove to himself" he still has it.
While believing Aaron Rodgers "SHOULD Retire" is the sensible thing to do, when has he ever conveyed any semblance of common sense?
Those of us Arm Chair QBs see his is in the same arena as Cam Newton was 2 years ago. Past his prime and not accepting this physical limitation or his actual decline on the field.
I was a strong fan of ARod until his non-sense behavior started, but to each their own. Let him live in his own world... however warped it may be.
Chaka
Footballguy
No one would argue against putting Davante & Rodgers back together.I believe he was being sarcastic
I would love to see him there. And I do think he'd have a ton of support in getting Adams there if he wanted him as that's how Brady operated too. Makes perfect sense to surround your most important player with the weapons he feels most comfortable with.
Then again by bringing in Rodgers as your front man you also risk having to sign his backup band The Roster Cloggers. Randall Cobb, Allen Lazard & MVS.
This would be kinda crazy, maybe could do some type of one year deal, but actually makes much more sense to me than going to some crappy team, and would skyrocket his value for next year.
(TheHuddle) The Minnesota Vikings are considered 'a dark horse' to sign free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets), according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Analysis: At this point, the New York Giants still appear to be the heavy favorite to sign Rodgers, who would step in as the team's starting quarterback immediately. Regardless of where he lands, he should be viewed as a No. 2 option in fantasy leagues.
(TheHuddle) The Minnesota Vikings are considered 'a dark horse' to sign free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets), according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Analysis: At this point, the New York Giants still appear to be the heavy favorite to sign Rodgers, who would step in as the team's starting quarterback immediately. Regardless of where he lands, he should be viewed as a No. 2 option in fantasy leagues.
zamboni
Footballguy
I can't imagine a no nonsense coach like Mike Tomlin dealing with Rodgers, but who knows. He's already got two WR divas now on board.
TheDirtyWord
Footballguy
And Diontae Johnson once upon a time. And Antonio Brown before that.
Feels like if there is any coach who could deal with Rodgers, it'd be him.
zamboni
Footballguy
True, although I think dealing with the QB, who is in on every offensive play and running the offense, vis-a-vis a WR is rather different.
Ministry of Pain
Footballguy
He would be lucky to even make the playoffs on any team that signs him, he's not winning a ring late in his career like Brady did
But he can still make $30-$40M to pose as a starting NFL QB over the age of 40 so why not try if you're Rodgers?
He has plenty of social media gigs lined up if he chooses to go that way after he retires.
He might even be handed a booth or studio gig which could pay close to what he is making right now
I don't care what he does but I'm not going to judge teams that want to try and sign him since they obviously have nothing on the roster better than him at the moment
Very explosive WR ready to roll in New York if he jumps across town
But he can still make $30-$40M to pose as a starting NFL QB over the age of 40 so why not try if you're Rodgers?
He has plenty of social media gigs lined up if he chooses to go that way after he retires.
He might even be handed a booth or studio gig which could pay close to what he is making right now
I don't care what he does but I'm not going to judge teams that want to try and sign him since they obviously have nothing on the roster better than him at the moment
Very explosive WR ready to roll in New York if he jumps across town
