Ben Roethlisberger retired in 2022 and the Pittsburgh Steelers are still trying to replace him.
Next up on the list is Aaron Rodgers, a Super Bowl champion and four-time NFL MVP. The Steelers signed the quarterback to a one-year deal earlier this offseason, for what appears to be one final ride.
The four-time NFL MVP revealed that the upcoming season is likely to be his last, indicating he will retire following a 21-year career. It comes on the heels of two seasons with the New York Jets, but Roethlisberger said he thinks this year will be a better one for Rodgers – since he won’t be worried about the Achilles injury this time around.
‘I think you’ll get a better Aaron this year,’ Roethlisberger said on the ‘Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger’ podcast on June 25. ‘Just because the thought process of the Achilles, ‘what can I do, what can I not do?’ I don’t think he’ll think about it at all.’
The former Steeler suggested that fans will flock to the stadium each week in an attempt to see greatness one last time, adding that we’ll see what Rodgers has left in the tank.
Rodgers will have the chance to take on the NFC North in his final year – the division he played in for 18 seasons. While the Green Bay Packers will travel to Pittsburgh, he will have the opportunity to play a game at Soldier Field in Chicago against the Bears. Rodgers has famously suggested he owns the team, as evidenced by his 25-5 record against the Packers’ rivals.
However, Roethlisberger believes Bears fans will have a mixed reaction.
‘I think he comes in, at the beginning of the game, it’s boos,’ Roethlisberger said. ‘At the end of the game, win, lose or draw, I think there’s respect shown. Should be, that’s the way it should be for a player like that. You can hate him, and I’ll say sports hate him, all you want, but you still gotta respect what he’s done and his legacy.’
It’s been a rocky past two seasons for Rodgers, who battled injuries and regression. Regardless, the hope from Pittsburgh is that he will be an upgrade for a team that has been built to win right now in recent years – outside of the quarterback spot.
The Steelers have gone through three seasons since Roethlisberger’s retirement, starting five quarterbacks during that time: Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields.
Roethlisberger said he also knew that it would be his final season in 2022, adding that his goal was to make every week special.
Rodgers won’t have the same experience as the former Steelers legend since Pittsburgh is his third team; however, winning has a way of fixing things. With a return to form, perhaps the Steelers can make some noise in 2025.
And that could be the best swan song of all.