The media circus round Aaron Rodgers through the offseason has all the time been justifiable for years. His MVP-level play, playoff success and assured Corridor of Fame manufacturing have given him infinite leeway from NFL staff executives and their followers.
However in 2026, it has a totally totally different really feel. Rodgers will likely be 42 at the beginning of the season after yet one more offseason of questions on whether or not he’s even going to play, coupled with tales of him being rumored to land with anybody from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Arizona Cardinals.
The numbers don’t lie
The problem is you can not say that the manufacturing completely justifies the drama. Final season, Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards and 24 touchdowns.
These are respectable numbers for many quarterbacks, however he additionally completed twenty third in QBR and regarded far faraway from the participant who as soon as elevated franchises into Tremendous Bowl competition. In any case, at what level does the year-round media circus lose its worth with a quarterback who could not even have one other season in him?
The ready sport is turning into tough to justify
The higher concern right here is that groups are nonetheless making Rodgers somebody you fully restructure an offseason round. The Steelers spent months getting requested questions on Rodgers whereas taking part in with out true quarterback path, and now rumors of him probably becoming a member of the Cardinals are even flying round.
It made sense within the days when Rodgers was successful MVPs and main groups to Tremendous Bowls. It’s a more durable promote immediately. Rodgers has not been to a Tremendous Bowl for the reason that 2010 season, is probably within the last 12 months of his profession and is not fairly the kind of speedy tradition and franchise-changer that he as soon as gave the impression to be.
Accidents creep up as veteran QBs age
For many of his profession, Rodgers was among the many extra sturdy quarterbacks within the sport regardless of taking tons of hits alongside the best way. With the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers was capable of play via the ache and play elite-level soccer consequently. Since that point, although, accidents have began to pile up the best way they usually do with growing old quarterbacks.
The largest got here in 2023 when Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon 4 performs into his first sport with the New York Jets. Rodgers got here again to play in 2024 and began all 17 video games whereas taking part in with some nagging ankle, knee and hamstring points that plagued his whole season.
Stories all through the 2025 season have proven that Rodgers performed with left wrist fractures. Individually, these accidents is probably not sufficient to say it’s over, however collectively, they present a 42-year-old who does not get better fairly the best way that he used to.
The Steelers can’t keep in QB limbo without end
The Steelers must get off the fence sooner relatively than later and embrace the way forward for the group. Does it make good enterprise sense to repeatedly look ahead to a 42-year-old multiple-time injury-plagued quarterback to make up his thoughts on the place he needs to play simply months away from coaching camp?
Rodgers can nonetheless play properly, and he can lead a locker room with veteran data. Nonetheless, he is just one hit away from probably ending his profession altogether. This franchise and fan base shouldn’t need to spend the offseason in suspense.
Sooner or later, the Steelers need to resolve whether or not they’re constructing towards the long run or just borrowing time from the previous. And for an growing old quarterback with mounting accidents, the nonstop media circus not feels definitely worth the distraction.
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