The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to patiently wait for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers to come to a decision on what he wants to do for the 2025 NFL season. The 41-year-old could decide to retire, although he has been training throughout the 2025 offseason, and he seems to want to play. He could wait until training camp grows closer to sign a deal in Pittsburgh, as it truly does seem like his only logical landing spot. No other team has a quarterback vacancy like the Steelers do, and Rodgers isn't going to sign anywhere to be a backup.
Rodgers played with a ton of great players throughout his career with the Green Bay Packers, but most have them have seen their careers come to an end. That is not the case for tight end Marcedes Lewis, who is entering his 20th season in the league.
He is currently a free agent, which isn't uncommon as veterans will typically wait until training camp begins to sign a deal when they are near the end of their career. He recently went on the Up & Adams Show With Kay Adams, and he was asked about plans for retirement, when he brought up Rodgers.
"It's always been something A-Rod would bring up." Lewis said of Rodgers discussing the two playing together again. "Even when we were in Green Bay, he was like, 'Hey, we got to retire together.' But we haven't talked about playing with the Steelers."
Lewis and Rodgers spent five seasons together in Green Bay from 2018 through 2022, and the two have a lot in common. Both players are 41-years old, and both grew up in California for the most part and attended college in the state. There was likely a connection there that drew the two veterans together, and maybe that could happen again in Pittsburgh.
Lewis began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars and he played there from 2006 through 2017. He then signed with Green Bay in free agency, and he spent the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears. His best years are clearly behind him, but he is a veteran presence that could be valuable in the locker room and in the run game as a blocker. He is also knowledgable about the game, and he could certainly find some holes in zones to get open and make a catch.
The tight end was never considered a premiere player throughout his career as he has never come close to recording a 1,000 yard season, and his career high for receptions in a year sits at 58. However, he is reliable, and he has always been respected around the league for being a great teammate and mentor.
While catching passes from Rodgers, Lewis recorded 506 yards and six catches in five season combined. These numbers aren't bad for a tight end playing in his mid-to-late 30s.
Steelers Already Have A Very Crowded Tight End Room
Pat Freiermuth is the unquestioned starter at tight end for the Steelers, while Darnell Washington is a reliable number two who is elite in the blocking game. Aside from those two, Pittsburgh also has the physically daunting Donald Parham Jr. and the versatile Connor Heyward.
Pretty much every base is covered at the position in Pittsburgh, so barring some sort of injury in training camp, there is no reason for the organization to even consider offering a contract to Lewis. There were reports of Pittsburgh potentially wanting to add another tight end, but Lewis is not productive enough in the passing game to consider.
Rodgers' dream of retiring with Lewis is going to have to be put on hold, unless the two extend their careers and play together elsewhere during the 2026 season.
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