In case the Pittsburgh Steelers fans forgot how crazy this upcoming season can be, ESPN dropped a friendly reminder the success of this season sits in the hands of an aging veteran and future hall of famer, that is in the twilight years of his career. Sure, there’s a chance Aaron Rodgers pulls a cat out of a hat and plays like his former Green Bay Packer self and takes this Steelers team to the Super Bowl.
Though, it’s more likely he plays a shade better than Russell Wilson and this Steelers team went all in just to end up in the exact same spot they would have without the Rodgers drama. ESPN saying Rodgers is one of the five most pivotal players this season is proof this Steelers season just might be over before it even starts.
Rodgers is well past the point in his career where he needs to be the difference maker. He’s at the point where he needs to do just enough to not lose the game; not be the reason his team is winning it. And the Steelers are going to find out why the New York Jets washed their hands of the Rodgers drama before the ink was dry on Aaron Glenn’s contract.
Why Aaron Rodgers is the most pivotal player on the Steelers
The Steelers truly went all in this year, swapping Minkah Fitzpatrick with Jalen Ramsey, signing Darius Slay and turning to Rodgers as their quarterback. With the veterans on this team and the mounting pressure on Mike Tomlin to win a playoff game, things are about to blow up in their face and fast.
They are negligent on T.J. Watt’s contract extension, which only dooms their championship hopes. On paper, this roster is the third-best team in the AFC North and a fringe wild card team at best. That’s not good enough. And right now, the Steelers plan to beat one of Baltimore, Kansas City or Buffalo without an elite EDGE rusher and one of the oldest secondaries.
Steelers are doomed thanks to Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers are putting way too much faith in Rodgers and ESPN sees that. They think Rodgers is going to magically save this team from hitting rock bottom and blowing the whole organization up. Instead, it’s going to set them back so far, the Steelers might wipe out the entire coaching staff and front office by January.
Tomlin has no choice but to at least reach the AFC championship game. They put this roster together to win right now and compete for a championship right now. It’s easier said than done, but if this team doesn’t win, it will be less about the players and more about the staff. It will be more on Tomlin on how this season went awry.
It will all go back to them putting all their eggs in the Rodgers basket that was always feeble and ready to break. When it does, only then will the Steelers realize the mistake they made in going all in with a team that isn’t built for it.