(Photo: CBS Sports)
News surrounding a Quarterback will always be big, whether they are signing a contract extension, retiring or signing with another team. I’ve often found myself mentioning a particular trend amongst the position where the legendary Quarterbacks who have spent a majority of their careers playing with one team finish outside the organization that drafted them and it’s happened to a few such as Joe Montana who will always be remembered as a 49er finished his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, Brett Favre was traded to the New York Jets in 2008 and finished out his career with the Minnesota Vikings, Peyton Manning signed with the Denver Broncos after 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and of course, Tom Brady played the first 20 seasons of his career with the New England Patriots before signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Another one was Aaron Rodgers when he was traded to the New York Jets in 2023 and was released this off-season. The rumor was he would sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers and we’ve heard this for months now. Today, the veteran Quarterback has informed the Steelers he will sign and suit up for them this year.
Although I wasn’t expecting much of anything from the Jets a year ago, I was glad to know he was returning after tearing his Achilles in his first game as a Jet on September 11th, 2023. I understand he’s been labeled a distraction, but let’s get one thing straight, Aaron Rodgers wasn’t the reason the Jets lost football games a year ago and I was highly critical of them acquiring Davante Adams when they needed help on the Offensive Line and it doesn’t matter who is the starting Quarterback or what receivers he has around him, if he doesn’t have time to throw, it means nothing in my eyes. Aaron may not be sitting at the elite table as he was for so many years, but I think he can still play at a high level and when you face him as a defender, it’s a “mental match” and it’s the way he’s able to utilize cadences with the ability to audible and see things differently which is to be expected from someone who’s seen just about every defensive scheme in a 20-year career. What’s impressed me as he’s gotten older is how he’s able to get out of a bad play with a single hand signal and his cerebral approach to the game got better. If you give any of his receivers the slightest of space, he will stand tall and find that guy. Aaron has the ability to always keep his eyes down the field, even if he’s being flushed out the pocket or several gas are pursuing him to take him down, even if you’re the last read, he will find you and get you the ball. That’s the vision I’m talking about and seeing the entire field. When I watch him, the precise passing hasn’t declined a bit and he can still put a pass only to where his intended receiver can get it. Aaron may not move as fluidly as he once did, but he can still escape and extend the play. I’ve seen the best defensive formations against him over the years and it means nothing because he gets rid of the football so quickly.
I’m not shocked that this happened and you shouldn’t be either. Yes, the Jets finished 5-12, but it doesn’t help when his guys up front couldn’t hold up nor could his defense. He threw 28 touchdown passes last year which isn’t bad and showed he can still play and be productive. The Steelers needed a Quarterback in the worst way possible and now, they have one. Here’s another interesting fact: In week one this upcoming season, the Pittsburgh Steelers will open the year up in East Rutherford taking on the New York Jets.
