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Why Aaron Rodgers could leave Jets for this AFC contender: NFL insider

why-aaron-rodgers-could-leave-jets-for-this-afc-contender:-nfl-insider
Why Aaron Rodgers could leave Jets for this AFC contender: NFL insider

Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh Steelers. The 2025 season. They’ll call it “Enigma: the Encore.”

It seems a long shot that the 41-year-old quarterback will be back for the Jets next year. And black and gold might just be becoming of the future Hall of Famer.

“I think we have seen Russell Wilson hit a wall, and whether [head coach] Mike Tomlin is even thinking about it…” NFL insider Peter King said during a recent episode of the “Let’s Go” podcast.

“If I were the Pittsburgh Steelers, knowing that I’ve got Cam Heyward, T.J. Watt — I got guys on defense with their expiration dates not long in the future — I would want to come in and try to get a quarterback who could make me competitive with Baltimore and Cincinnati in 2025. And that guy, to me, is Aaron Rodgers.”

— Mad Dog Sports Radio (@MadDogRadio) January 7, 2025

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) is all smiles after leading Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025.

Aaron Rodgers (8) is all smiles after leading Gang Green to a 32-20 victory against the Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025. Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Crazier things have happened, New York football fans can attest.

And Rodgers to the Steelers isn’t so difficult to imagine considering Russell Wilson’s spectacular implosion in the dying weeks of the regular season.

Pittsburgh shot out of the gate in 2024 — winning 10 of its first 13 contests — and, for a moment there, the Steel City had “Super Bowl dreams.” 

Russell Wilson's Steelers last win came against the Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. This Saturday, they travel to Baltimore to face off against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in the Wild Card round.

Russell Wilson’s Steelers last win came against the Browns on Dec. 8, 2024. This Saturday, they travel to Baltimore to face off against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens in the playoffs. AP

Peter King speaks about the possibility of Rodgers joining forces with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers in 2025 during a recent appearance on the

Peter King speaks about the possibility of Rodgers joining forces with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers in 2025 during a recent appearance on the “Let’s Go” podcast. X / Mad Dog Sports Radio

But that moment is long gone and the Steelers’ awakening has been a rude one. Tomlin’s squad hasn’t won since Week 14 and is now staring down the barrel at Lamar Jackson and a Baltimore Ravens team that has only lost twice since the calendar flipped to November.

If the Steelers lose their next one, the wild-card matchup Saturday, the Wilson experiment may be all but over.

Is Justin Fields, then, the answer under center?

Justin Fields hasn't completed a pass in an NFL game since Oct. 13. He was relegated to the backup role when Russell Wilson returned from an injury suffered in preseason.

Justin Fields hasn’t completed a pass in an NFL game since Oct. 13. He was relegated to the backup role when Russell Wilson returned from an injury suffered in preseason. Getty Images

The 25-year-old signal caller led the Steelers to a 4-2 start before Wilson reclaimed the starting job, but even if you stacked Wilson on top of Fields’ shoulders and draped an oversized jersey atop them both, the duo wouldn’t hold a candle to Aaron Rodgers — at least the version Packers’ fans know. 

Rodgers reputation precedes him: Super Bowl Champion, 10-time Pro Bowler, four-time MVP, recent inductee to the 500-touchdown club, the list goes on.

He’s under contract with the Jets through 2025, though that counts for less and less these days

Aaron Rodgers spoke of the Steelers head coach in 2021 during an appearance on the

Aaron Rodgers previously said he’s a big fan of Mike Tomlin. Getty Images

And his admiration of Mike Tomlin is no secret.

Crazier things have happened. 

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