Signing Aaron Rodgers is wrong move for Pittsburgh Steelers at this point | Opinion Portrait of Nate DavisNate Davis

 Signing Aaron Rodgers is wrong move for Pittsburgh Steelers at this point | Opinion

 

The Pittsburgh Steelers' “Stairway to Seven” remains unfinished more than 16 years into its construction. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has yet to reach what he desires on his – let’s call it a “Step Stool to Two”? – 14 years after capturing a ring in his lone Super Sunday appearance, ironically denying the Steelers their seventh Lombardi Trophy when his Green Bay Packers prevailed in Super Bowl 45.

But is a long-awaited shotgun marriage between one of the NFL’s flagship franchises and, arguably, one of the five best quarterbacks to ever play the game truly going to help both achieve the next step each party is so eager to take? Or should a 41-year-old player coming off what was probably the worst full season of his 20-year career and/or a franchise that’s been mired in mediocrity – at best – at the most important position in professional sports perhaps not show up at the altar?

Two months on since Rodgers reached free agency for the first time and since the Steelers began actively retooling their roster for 2025, it’s still not clear what either side will do – which has only engendered mounting questions.

“I don’t get it. Old guys, they don’t get better. They get worse. And all the headaches (Rodgers) brings?” former New York Giants vice president of player personnel Marc Ross told USA TODAY Sports when asked about the situation. “Now Pittsburgh, you’re just signing him for his name. You’re not even signing him for anything else. He gives you no chance to win, he gives you no chance to compete against the good teams. And he’s gonna be a pain in the ass – you’re dealing with drama right now with the guy, and he’s not even on your team