Are Steelers Strengthening AFC North Contention with Rodgers Signing?

Future Hall of Famer and free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers has put an end to this offseason's most grueling waiting game by confirming that he plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

NFL Network insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport report that Rodgers will sign a one-year contract that an NFL source has suggested to us might be valued in the $30 million range. He is expected fly to Pittsburgh soon and participate in the upcoming mandatory minicamp next week.

The Steelers front office now sees their patience and optimism pay off as they completely built their NFL Draft plan based on the assumption that Rodgers would sign and allow them to target other needs outside of a quarterback ... although they only had Mason Rudolph on contract. Pittsburgh would ultimately draft Will Howard as well, but they now fall down the depth chart to back up the four-time MVP.

Rodgers enters the AFC North with the opportunity to draw the Steelers closer to contention with the Baltimore Ravens for the division crown. Last season, the Steelers finished second with a 10-7 record - two games behind the division champion Ravens.

The 41-year-old is coming off a lousy 2024 campaign with the New York Jets, but with a better supporting cast and new environment to ease his mental state (as best it can), hopefully Rodgers' play will see a bit of resurgence.

He joins forces with star receiver DK Metcalf and tight end Pat Freiermuth as solid receiving targets along with an eclectic group of pass catchers in Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson and Robert Woods to work with.

Rookie running back Kaleb Johnson may start after Najee Harris left in free agency, so the pass game quickly turns into the Steelers expected identity rather than the run with an inexperienced ball carrier.

Pittsburgh likely still prefers their chances this season with Rodgers much more than last year's cycle between Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center, despite the team's moderate success.

The end-of-season collapse, however, was especially disappointing. Rodgers' veteran experience could alleviate any of that worry this year.

The Steelers finished with a 3-3 record in the division during the regular season - beating and losing to each team once. In the Wild Card round of the playoffs, their season came to an end against Baltimore, losing 28-14.

The Ravens enter 2025 just as much of a threat as in years past and will remain the Steelers toughest competition in the division. Their Week 11 meeting, an 18-16 Pittsburgh win, was thanks to the heroics of kicker Chris Boswell who accounted for all of the scoring on six field goals.

More offensive firepower with Rodgers at the helm should help eliminate low-scoring affairs like this one and many of the Steelers' losses. Having big showings against the division will be extra crucial in revamping this offense's reputation.

The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to return many of their offensive weapons as well, with the trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins all on new contracts. Their defense, however, offered little to worry about outside of pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who is angrily waiting on a deal of his own. If Cincy has any hopes of rebounding from their 9-8 season, Hendrickson is a huge part of that.

Pittsburgh put on a clinic in their first meeting with Cincinnati, but as the story of the season was, the consistency pendulum swung the opposite way the second time around.

The Cleveland Browns are again expected to be the bottom dwellers in the AFC North, as they have an even more controversial quarterback situation than Pittsburgh this offseason.

Last season faired decently well for the Steelers, but the addition of Rodgers and Metcalf provide a major shake-up to the offense that head coach Mike Tomlin should be more confident in this season against the AFC North.

Is it enough to win the division? May be too early to tell.

But it's certainly a step in the right direction. Finally.