Total Pro Sports
The Pittsburgh Steelers finally landed Aaron Rodgers, but it does not appear that he was their first option.
Rodgers finally put pen to paper on his deal with the Steelers on Saturday, officially ending all rumors.
However, Rodgers wasn’t the Steelers’ first (or second) choice. Pittsburgh preferred two other quarterbacks over him.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter says the Steelers’ first option was to bring back Justin Fields, but they also tried to trade for Matthew Stafford.
Aaron Rodgers came in as the team’s third choice, ahead of those like Russell Wilson, so the Steelers were content waiting him out.
Aaron Rodgers was the Steelers’ third option after they failed to re-sign Justin Fields and trade for Matthew Stafford😬
“Let’s also remember that this was the 3rd option for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Schefter said.
(via ESPN) pic.twitter.com/mrsvEdvvX4
— Football Forever (@fballforeverhq) June 8, 2025
Stafford was on the trade market early in the offseason, with the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders among the rumored teams interested in him. While Los Angeles allowed Stafford to speak with other teams as he sought a contract extension, he wound up opting to remain with the team.
That was the first domino to fall for the Steelers.
26-year-old Justin Fields spent the entire 2024 season with the Steelers, who acquired him in a trade with the Chicago Bears in the preceding offseason. He went 4-2 while veteran Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury.
Despite his winning record, Fields was benched upon Wilson’s return. Fields completed 66.3% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception to go with a 93.9 passer rating.
While the Steelers were reportedly interested in re-signing Fields, the New York Jets were able to nab him on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering window.
“This was the best move that the Pittsburgh Steelers could make right now,” he said on Friday.
“But let’s also remember that this was the third option for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They were in on Matthew Stafford and couldn’t get a trade done. They tried to re-sign Justin Fields. He opted to go to the New York Jets, where he will meet Aaron Rodgers on opening day, and after they couldn’t get a trade done for Stafford and couldn’t get Fields re-signed, they pivoted to Aaron Rodgers.”
While Rodgers wasn’t good enough to help lift the Jets into the playoffs, the Steelers are hopeful he can help them reach the postseason for the third straight year.
They brought in wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks but traded away wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys.
The Steelers might not be finished retooling their offense, either. They’re expected to add another skill position player at some point this offseason.
By Adding Rodgers, their Super Bowl chances are much better.
At DraftKings, the Steelers have dropped from a...
