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Aaron Rodgers answered the last remaining question about the NFL season earlier this month when he finally accepted a one-year contract with Pittsburgh Steelers.
The reaction was a little more mixed than supportive. Steelers have had five different quarterbacks -start games for them, since Ben Roethlisberger withdrew after the 2021 season, and Rodgers was not exactly in MVP form when he signed with the New York Jets in 2023.
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Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers throws during the exercise at the NFL Football Minicam Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
While a former general manager claimed that Rodgers would be “irrelevant” by Thanksgiving, Super Bowl champion Joe Theismann took a more optimistic approach as he spoke with Pakinomist Digital as he prepared for the American Century Championship Golf Tournament next month.
He said Rodgers had “the potential to succeed” because of his ability to throw the ball with another key factor – he doesn’t have to play GM beyond quarterback.
“Remember that the offenses that Aaron have been in until this year, basically controlled,” said Theismann. “He was familiar with the systems, he had his coordinators, his inputs to the people he wanted. Now that is why I think he will be successful, now he just gets play quarterback.
“He doesn’t have to be assistant general manager. He doesn’t have to worry about staff. The only thing he needs to worry about is being able to run this offense, nothing else. So from my perspective, I think it takes a burden on him to be honest with you. And instead of trying to make a team better, you just have to be part of a team and do your part to do it better.”
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Joe Theismann speaks during the announcement of the Washington football team name to the Washington commanders at FedExfield on February 2, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
In addition, the Mike Tomlin-led steelers have always been well coached.
“You are part of the football team, you know, the way you earn respect is that you go out and do your job and you are studying hard and you are working hard,” Theismann added. “And of course Aaron says all the right things right now and I think he’ll do the right things.”
Rodgers had 3,897 passing yards, 28 Touchdown -Pass and 11 interceptions in his first season coming out of his Achilles tower.
Jets suffered some harsh losses throughout the year. After starting 2-1, New York fell five just times. Of these five losses, four of them were within a score.
Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, #8, throws during the exercise at the NFL Football Ministry on Thursday, June 12, 2025 in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)
Pittsburgh played playoffs 10-7, and it will certainly be interesting to see how they do with Rodgers under the center.
