There may be some smoke emerging from the Steel City regarding Aaron Rodgers.
An August 2024 clip of controversial Steelers receiver George Pickens discussing who his ideal teammate would be has started making the rounds again in light of rumors and betting odds linking Pittsburgh to the four-time NFL MVP and soon-to-be free agent.
“My dream teammate would probably be Aaron Rodgers. Aaron Rodgers or Ed Reed or something like that” Pickens said while discussing dream teammates with Chris Henry Jr. in a clip posted to the @overtimeszn TikTok account on Aug. 4, 2024. “Aaron Rodgers, Ed Reed, yeah.”
Rodgers will be one of the more interesting free agents once he’s officially an ex-Jet, and many have linked him to the Steelers, who don’t have a quarterback under contract for 2025.
Betting odds initially made the Steelers the overwhelming favorites to land Rodgers, provided he wants to continue playing, and Pittsburgh is now in a three-way tie with the Rams and Raiders at DraftKings.
This clip has also resurfaced while an interesting photo emerged of Rodgers alongside Steelers safety DeShon Elliott, who previously had vehemently shot down the idea of Rodgers in black and yellow.
“Leave his ass at the retirement home,” Elliott wrote underneath an Instagram post listing the Steelers as the betting favorites to land Rogers on Feb. 12.
It’s unlikely the Steelers would make a move based on Pickens’ suggestion since he’s been far from a choir boy while with the team, but Rodgers could represent an upgrade.
Justin Fields went 4-2 as a starter last year before Mike Tomlin decided to move to Russell Wilson, who shined initially but then oversaw a five-game losing skid to end the season.
Rodgers’ stats look better than his actual production with 28 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and 3,897 yards, and he could make sense on a short deal.
It’s hard to see the Steelers doing an about-face and now deciding Fields is their quarterback of the future after benching him, and Wilson is an uninspiring option after his late-season flop.
The Steelers have the 21st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in what is a down year for quarterbacks.
Rodgers has spoken glowingly about Tomlin in the past, and it’s possible Tomlin may see Rodgers as the quarterback giving him the best chance to compete in 2025.
Any speculation, though, hinges on the 41-year-old wanting to run it back for another season after his two years with the Jets ended in brutal fashion, one via injury and the other after a 5-12 season.
The Jets have already said they are moving on from Rodgers, which allows him the opportunity to talk to potential suitors.
