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ESPN NFL Analyst Gets Brutally Honest With Aaron Rodgers

Originally posted on The Spun | By Daniel Bates | Last updated May 26, 2025 3:06 PM ET

For all of the conversation surrounding Aaron Rodgers and his desire to play or not in 2025, one ESPN NFL analyst kept it real when it comes to his prospects this coming season.

On Monday's "Get Up," Dan Graziano talked about the future Hall of Famer and whether or not the Steelers should wait on him. While also issuing a warning to Mike Tomlin and the decision-makers in Pittsburgh.

"Everyone wants to talk about Aaron Rodgers going to the Steelers, and that's their hope. This is not MVP Aaron Rodgers. This is not 2020 Aaron Rodgers. This is a shell of that," Graziano admitted to this morning's panel.

"He was a bad quarterback in the NFL last season. He was not markedly better last season than Mason Rudolph was for the Tennessee Titans when he played. ... I think Aaron Rodgers is fine if he shows up and I think the Steelers are probably fine if he doesn't."

It's definitely not unfair to say that Rodgers is no longer the four-time MVP that was leading the Packers to double-digit win seasons and deep into the playoffs every year.

And while whether or not he's still better than Mason Rudolph at this point is certainly debatable, it's hard to argue that the quarterback position isn't one that's been mismanaged by the Steelers since Ben Roethlisberger retired.

FLORHAM PARK, NEW JERSEY - JULY 20: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets run drills during training camp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on July 20, 2023 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)Mike Stobe/Getty Images

Pittsburgh has passed on several opportunities to better its QB room and the nonchalance to address it has really been a detriment to pretty talented roster over the years.

Now with reports that Rodgers may be interested in completing his recreation of Brett Favre's career and "waiting out the Vikings," the Steelers could be forced to move forward with Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round pick Will Howard.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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