The Pittsburgh Steelers lastly turned rumor into actuality final week, signing future first-ballot Corridor of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers to a one-year contract.
Rodgers joins the third group of his illustrious profession, abandoning a disappointing and forgettable two-year Jets tenure. Probably the most memorable second throughout that stint? The season-ending harm he suffered on his first sequence with the group in September 2023.
In 2024, the Jets had a wholesome Rodgers however couldn’t come near residing as much as lofty expectations, as they completed 5-12. Regardless of the disastrous group outcomes a yr in the past, Rodgers put up a good 28 touchdowns and solely 11 interceptions.
For the second straight yr, the Steelers will attempt to milk the final drop of high quality soccer from a once-elite quarterback. Final yr, they took a shot on Russell Wilson and had combined outcomes.
Will this yr be any totally different?
Expectations for Aaron Rodgers with the Steelers?
Effectively, we all know one factor: Mike Tomlin is prone to put a good product on the sector.
Since taking on as head coach in 2007, the Steelers have by no means performed worse than 8-8. The 6-10 mark the Steelers had in 2003 was their final shedding season, again when their quarterback was Tommy Maddox.
However as constant because the Steelers have been underneath Tomlin, it’s additionally been almost a decade since they’ve gained a playoff recreation. The franchise has been caught in a cycle of being not fairly adequate to be a professional contender however not dangerous sufficient to get a excessive draft choose and choose a franchise quarterback.
Does something change this yr? Maybe.
Perhaps Rodgers has sufficient upside (and draw back) to interrupt the development of respectability/mediocrity and both win this group a playoff recreation or produce a season just like the one with the Jets final yr that results in a top-10 choose.
However how will it finally play out? And what’s the guess?
The Pittsburgh Steelers to lose within the wild-card spherical is +330 (a $10 guess pays $43 complete). The Steelers have the protection and infrastructure to at all times be a playoff-caliber squad. Aaron Rodgers — as disappointing as final yr was — nonetheless put up stats that may translate to group success if put in the suitable state of affairs.
The Steelers ought to, as soon as once more, be firmly within the combine for a playoff spot.
Aaron Rodgers wasn’t Steelers’ first selection, per Adam Schefter
Sadly for them, it’s seemingly as soon as once more a wild-card spot, contemplating the Ravens are a reduce above the Steelers within the AFC North. A wild-card spot means a highway playoff recreation to begin the postseason and certain a date with one of many many premier quarterbacks within the AFC.
Suppose Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson or possibly even Joe Burrow.
In 4 of the final 5 years, the Steelers have misplaced within the wild-card spherical. They’ve misplaced to Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson over that stretch, in addition to Baker Mayfield.
Pittsburgh is the mannequin of consistency however has misplaced its final six playoff video games and has not gained a playoff recreation for the reason that 2016 season. Rodgers is an all-time nice participant, however at this stage of his profession, it’s not sufficient to interrupt this cycle of shedding early within the postseason.
PICK: Steelers (+330) to lose in wild-card spherical
Will Hill, a contributor on the Bears Bets Podcast, has been betting on sports activities for over a decade. He’s a betting analyst who has been a number on VSiN, in addition to the Goldboys Community.
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