The Pittsburgh Steelers have built their roster to make a serious run at the Super Bowl in what is widely believed to be Aaron Rodgers’ final NFL season. Rodgers has been putting in work at training camp, and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark believes the veteran is starting to look like his former Super Bowl-winning self.
“I can confirm it AaronRodgers can still really throw the football… it’s crazy in person! 2010-11 Super Bowl Flashbacks,” Clark posted.
The Steelers’ decision to wait until the offseason to sign Rodgers may have actually benefited the franchise, as it resulted in a lighter primetime schedule than if he had signed earlier.
“The Steelers not having a QB yet — and the uncertainty around Aaron Rodgers — may have worked in their favor. They got just 4 primetime games. If Rodgers had signed, they likely would’ve had 6+ and some holiday slots like the Jets had the last two years, which would’ve made for a much more unbalanced schedule,” Ari Meirov said.
Pittsburgh showed notable patience throughout the process, and it’s believed Rodgers gave them some kind of verbal commitment.
“I just think verbally, behind the scenes, not that he guaranteed it, but he’s told [the Steelers], ‘Listen, I’m gonna play for you. I just don’t want to go there and then miss part of mandatory minicamp because of my personal issues. I’m pretty sure they’re gonna be solved by the end of May, at least in my satisfaction where I can give you my all,’” Ian O’Connor said.
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On The Pivot Podcast, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that he knew Rodgers was coming, which is why the team didn’t aggressively pursue a quarterback in the draft.
“And you’re right… I knew something”
The @steelers didn’t draft a QB earlier in this year’s draft because Mike T knew Aaron Rodgers was on the way. During that time he found out Rodgers’ why, & it made him extremely comfortable with the 4 time MVP. He knew exactly what Rodgers… pic.twitter.com/LXagHwfQDp
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) August 10, 2025
“Everything that we talked about through our conversations in the spring, I’m watching him live out right now in this training camp setting. I believed him when he said it, but it’s fun to watch play out,” Tomlin said. “And you’re right I knew something.”
Clark had asked him if he knew something was going to happen as to why they waited so long in the draft, to which Tomlin admitted he knew. This inside knowledge explains the team’s calm demeanor throughout the lengthy negotiation process. It also sheds light on why the Steelers waited until later in the draft to select Will Howard. While fans and analysts were panicking, the organization knew something big was in the works.
