Booger McFarland: Aaron Rodgers is ‘dramatic upgrade’ over Russell Wilson, Justin Fields

“If you think for one moment that Aaron Rodgers is not an upgrade over Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, then you’ve got another thing coming,” McFarland said on NFL Live. “He’s going to be a dramatic upgrade, guys. It’s not even funny. Just from the standpoint of confidence and continuity, from an offensive standpoint, of what you can do in the passing game.

“And I get it. I don’t expect this team to go to the Super Bowl. He’s a 41-year-old quarterback with limited athletic ability. But his ability to understand and throw the football down the field – and hopefully unlock DK Metcalf. They didn’t go out and spend $30 million a year on him just to hand the football off 45 times a game. Yeah, they’re going to run the football. That’s what Arthur Smith likes to do. But they also are going to push the football down the field, and in order to do that, you need a competent quarterback. Aaron Rodgers gives them competency and confidence from [the] offensive side of the football. … He is an upgrade over what they had last year.”

Rodgers’ contract is a one-year deal worth $13.65 million and $10 million guaranteed. However, he has incentives in the deal that could take it up to $19.5 million.

Rodgers spent the last two years with the New York Jets after coming over from the Green Bay Packers, though his first season in New York ended on his first drive due to an Achilles injury. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2024, marking two straight full seasons with at least 10 picks.

The Steelers might not be done yet, though, even after signing Rodgers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Steelers renewed talks with the Miami Dolphins about a potential trade for tight end Jonnu Smith after his breakout season in 2024.