Steelers Now
Former Indianapolis Colts punter Pat McAfee raved about the Pittsburgh Steelers’ signing of four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers on the most recent episode of the Pat McAfee Show. McAfee, who’s a Pittsburgh native, expects the future Hall of Fame QB to shine in the Steel City.
“We’re a team that can contend. We were above .500 — absolute crap on the offensive side of the ball. If Aaron [Rodgers] can come in here, matriculate the ball down the field and eat up some clock — make smart choices and not have any turnovers — the Pittsburgh Steelers are dancing in the playoffs yet again,” McAfee said with confidence. “And once they get into the playoffs, who knows? Especially with how good their defense is.”
The Steelers are currently on a eight-year playoff win drought, which has not occurred for the franchise since pre-1972. Steelers All-Pro outside linebacker T.J. Watt hasn’t even won a playoff game in his decorated career. The Steelers are hoping Rodgers’ could help snap the dreaded playoff win streak.
Despite signing Rodgers, the Steelers’ Super Bowl odds did not change at most sportsbooks. In fact, the Steelers’ Super Bowl odds went unchanged at BETMGM (+4500). The Steelers (22-1) have the eighth-best odds to win the AFC and third-best odds (+600) to win the AFC North.
Pittsburgh’s win total for the 2025 season is set at 8.5.
There’s two reasons for why the odds were not altered. First, it was expected that Rodgers was going to sign with Pittsburgh (eventually). It really wasn’t a secret. Second, at 41 years of age, how much of an impact will Rodgers have on the Steelers’ season? He’s an upgrade from Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, but he does not elevate Pittsburgh into the Super Bowl contenders category.
Despite narratives that Rodgers is washed, it’s hard to dispute that he’s not the best quarterback the Steelers have had since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season.
Since 2022, Rodgers has 54 passing touchdowns. In that same time frame, the Steelers have had only 46 touchdown passes. Rodgers also had only one pass attempt in 2023 before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury.
The four-time league MVP and future Hall of Fame quarterback showed he can still play good football last year with the New York Jets, throwing for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
Former NFL offensive lineman and current analyst Ross Tucker believes the Steelers are hoping for a Brett Favre-like 2009 season from Rodgers.
Favre, who at age 40, passed for 4,202 yards, 33 touchdown and seven interceptions in 2009. He also had a career-best 107.2 quarterback rating. Favre led Minnesota to the NFC Championship, coming up just short 31-28 against the New Orleans Saints.
“Here what I will say about Aaron Rodgers, a couple thoughts. I believe the Steelers are hoping that he has his Brett Favre Vikings season in Pittsburgh this year. Remember when it was just OK for Favre with the Jets. Then he goes to...
