Steelers will be joke of NFL if Aaron Rodgers retires after $45m investment to appease 42-year-old QB

The Kansas City Chiefs gave Patrick Mahomes the Super Bowl MVP and return of Travis Kelce.

The Pittsburgh Steelers presented Aaron Rodgers with a part-time running back and No. 2 wide receiver — and one of the NFL‘s most famous teams still doesn’t know if Rodgers is playing in 2026.

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Steelers make big gamble on Rodgers return

It was a free-agency bonanza on Monday, with huge move following huge move and heads spinning across the league.

The Las Vegas Raiders went all-in on Fernando Mendoza before even drafting the ‘perfect’ Indiana star with the No. 1 overall pick.

Tom Brady‘s team handed out $281 million in silly money, despite coming off a 3-14 season, trading away the Raiders’ best player (Maxx Crosby) and playing in the same division as the Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers and Chiefs.

But at least the Raiders are beginning to build toward something.

The Steelers are stuck in NFL limbo because they’re still tied to Rodgers, and Monday’s $45m promise to a collection of middle-level names will become the joke of the season if Rodgers suddenly retires.

It’s absurd that Rodgers still hasn’t committed to Pittsburgh for a second year, yet the Steelers have no other choice but Rodgers.

He’s 42-years-old and was the No. 23 quarterback in the NFL last year based off QB rating (44.4).

Yet even Mike Tomlin walking away as Pittsburgh’s head coach after 19 seasons still sees the Steelers waiting, waiting and waiting on Rodgers.

Pittsburgh makes moves for B-level talent

Pairing former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr with No. 1 wideout DK Metcalf is intriguing — as long as Rodgers is Pittsburgh’s starting QB from Weeks 1 through 18 next year.

Adding former Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle has potential on paper — if the Steelers have an elite QB who can win a couple games in the playoffs.

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But Rodgers hasn’t made the Pro Bowl since 2021, while Shedeur Sanders was good enough for that honor last year.

It’s harder than ever to see what Pittsburgh is building and where this is all going for the Steelers.

Lamar Jackson has been backed with Crosby in Baltimore.

Joe Burrow has a ton to prove in Cincinnati and the Bengals have the talent to return to the playoffs with a little better luck.

Rodgers’ decision will swing Steelers’ season

Mike McCarthy was a frustrating five-year let down in Dallas with Jerry Jones‘ Cowboys, but the Steelers now believe they’ll get the absolute best out of a veteran head coach who’s best known for being conservative.

Kelce at least had the professionalism to tell the Chiefs he was returning for a 14th season before Kansas City locked down Kenneth Walker III for three years and $45 million.

Rodgers can’t be bothered with the Steelers right now, while Pittsburgh is spending another offseason desperately building its team around Rodgers.

A franchise that’s been kicked out of the Wild Card playoff round in back-to-back years is trying to convince a 42-year-old QB that things really will be better in 2026.

Not even the Cleveland Browns look that backward right now.

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