Aaron Rodgers has re-signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year deal, and he announced during his first press conference that this will be his final season in the NFL. Rodgers is a four-time league MVP, which is the second most in NFL history, trailing only Peyton Manning with five. Rodgers is now 42 years old and has clearly been declining for several years, although it remains debatable just how much he still has left at this stage of his career.
Photo Cred: NBC News
Steelers fans are hoping that Rodgers reuniting with new head coach Mike McCarthy will spark something that can finally deliver the franchise its first playoff win since the 2016 season. McCarthy served as head coach of the Green Bay Packers beginning in Rodgers’ second season in 2006 until he was fired midway through the 2017 season.
At the time, many reports from both local and national media outlets detailed a long-standing feud between the coach and quarterback. Numerous quotes from sources inside the organization, including current and former players, coaches, and staff members, painted a picture of a fractured relationship. Some of the most notable claims included Rodgers ignoring McCarthy’s play calls, believing McCarthy had the lowest football IQ of any coach he had worked with, and repeatedly mocking him for being part of the San Francisco 49ers organization that selected Alex Smith first overall in the 2005 NFL Draft ahead of Rodgers.
The two appear to have repaired their relationship in recent years and will now get one final run together. McCarthy also becomes just the fourth head coach of the Steelers since 1969, continuing one of the most stable coaching traditions in professional sports.
There will be significant pressure on McCarthy to prove he can elevate the franchise beyond the mediocre status it has experienced during the last decade under former head coach Mike Tomlin. Pittsburgh was one of the oldest teams in the league last season and also fielded the NFL’s most expensive defense, yet the unit still performed at a mediocre level overall.
Photo Cred: CNN
The Baltimore Ravens should bounce back after a disappointing season last year and are still the favorites to win the AFC North thanks to arguably the best roster in the division. After Baltimore, however, there is a real opportunity for Pittsburgh. The Cleveland Browns are expected to struggle once again, while the Cincinnati Bengals could remain competitive but may still be held back by roster deficiencies and ongoing durability concerns surrounding their quarterback.
If the Steelers’ defense returns to form and the offense can remain at least middle-of-the-pack, Pittsburgh may finally be capable of winning a playoff game if the matchup falls in their favor. However, it is equally possible that this emotional and nostalgic reunion turns into a disaster, leading the Steelers to their first losing season since 2003.
