Aaron Rodgers will either wear a new uniform or retire ahead of the 2025 season. The four-time MVP just got settled with the New York Jets, but it’s clear the team will be moving on. Reacting to the news, former Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Spears suggested that Rodgers could replace a fellow Super Bowl champion.
With Rodgers turning 41 this season, it’s fair to question just how many suitors he’ll have in free agency.
Aaron Rodgers to the Steelers? Marcus Spears Thinks Door Might Be Open
Rodgers in black and gold is the wild scenario former Spears tossed into the mix, wondering if the future Hall of Famer could replace a Super Bowl-winning QB in Pittsburgh. And he wasn’t just throwing it out for fun — he broke down exactly why this could make sense.
Spears zeroed in on the Mike Tomlin factor. Pittsburgh’s head coach has long been known for his no-nonsense, team-first culture. Would Rodgers, a QB who’s never been shy about voicing his opinions, fit into that system? Spears thinks Tomlin is one of the few coaches with the stature to command Rodgers’ respect. Not by catering to him, but by creating a working relationship where both sides could function at a high level.
“I wonder if Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers could coexist in Pittsburgh and RC [Ryan Clark] you know that culture and situation better than me, and we’ve talked about it for a long time, about how Pittsburgh’s culture is what it is, and it’s not going to change for any individual,” Spears said on “NFL Live.”
“And I wonder, I think Mike Tomlin has the stature to have conversations with Aaron Rodgers and not to actually meet him in the middle, but to have a working relationship until you can get this thing figured out, or if you think he can play at a high enough level for one or two years.”
What would be a better fit for Aaron Rodgers: Titans or Steelers?@minakimes and @mspears96 on some potential landing spots for the veteran QB✍️ pic.twitter.com/8QD7WGNi2X
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 10, 2025
Then, there’s the football side of things. Spears pointed out that Pittsburgh has the pieces — a strong run game, a defense that’s built to dominate, and a talented receiver in Geroge Pickens. If the Steelers believe Rodgers has another one or two quality seasons left, could they make a move?
And let’s not forget the history. Rodgers and Tomlin have shared a few knowing glances over the years, fueling speculation about mutual respect. Spears added, “You look at the run game in Pittsburgh, it can be pretty good. You look at the outside, obviously some more, some more maturity with your star wide receiver.
“But could that be something that could be facilitated and a defense that should get back to playing at a very high level? We’ve seen the little eye contact, the little back and forth between him and Mike Tomlin, and that just popped in my mind, what is that relationship really like? Have they had any interaction before? I’d be interested to see if Pittsburgh makes a play for a Rodgers.”
Russell Wilson, who finished the season under center for the Steelers, seems to be on his way out. The door may soon be wide open for Rodgers to finish his career in Pittsburgh.
Aaron Rodgers, Jets Divorce After Brutal Two-Year Fling
Rodgers and the Jets are officially done, ending a short-lived, drama-filled tenure that never got off the ground.
Rodgers came in as the savior in 2023. Four snaps later — he tore his Achilles. Season over. He made it back in 2024, but the Jets sputtered to a 5-12 finish, fired their coach, and watched Rodgers post a rough 48.1 QBR (25th in the league). Finishing 21st in PFSN’s QB+ metric, he may not be an upgrade over Wilson (17th).
Then there’s the money. Rodgers was set to pocket $37.5 million in 2025, with a brutal $49 million dead cap hit (Over the Cap). A post-June 1 cut spreads the damage, but either way, the breakup felt inevitable.
Rodgers’ departure leaves Tyrod Taylor as the top passer on the depth chart, although it’s possible free agency or the NFL Draft put a dent in those plans.
