Jim Nantz makes 'personal appeal' to Aaron Rodgers amid Steelers rumors

As of the morning after the full 2025 NFL schedule was released, the Pittsburgh Steelers still hadn't signed free-agent Aaron Rodgers to be their starting quarterback for at least the upcoming season. 

During the NFL Network schedule-release show on Wednesday night, legendary broadcaster and lead CBS NFL play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz offered his reasons for why Rodgers should want to join the Steelers this spring or summer. 

"We need the Steelers to be good," Nantz said about CBS, as shared by Michael Dixon of Awful Announcing. "They need you. I saw you play last year. The numbers were really good, a lot better than people gave you credit for. And I know you can still play. I know you can still play. And you get doubled up with (head coach) Mike Tomlin and (pass-rusher) T.J. Watt on that defense. I think it’d be a great thing. Let’s get this thing done. I am just making a personal appeal. We want you, we need you and we look forward to seeing you."

According to Pro Football Reference, Rodgers ended his final regular season as a member of the New York Jets eighth in the NFL with 3,897 passing yards and tied for seventh with 28 touchdowns through the air. While injury setbacks slowed him throughout this past fall, he did pass for eight scores with only three picks over the campaign's final four games. 

For what it's worth, the Steelers reportedly remain "optimistic that Rodgers will sign and be their starter" and aren't in "a rush" to get him into the team's facility before the organized team activities portion of the offseason program begins on May 27. Such updates didn't keep Nantz from making his case to the future Hall of Famer while speaking with NFL Network from the site of the ongoing PGA Championship. 

"I don’t know if you’re watching, Aaron Rodgers. I hope you are," Nantz added during the segment. "But I want you to know that I’m passing the hat here at Quail Hollow. And we’re taking up a collection. I think we can run this thing up to somewhere close to — just again, a few of my colleagues and some friends — we want to see you in the Steel City this season. And we’re willing to contribute. I think we can get up close to seven figures as a feel-good sign of appreciation. Just to kick in, a little incentive for you to be in Pittsburgh this year."

Rodgers certainly doesn't need the money, considering what he's earned from his NFL contracts during his playing career. He even accepted a pay cut in July 2023 to help the Jets try to build around him. 

Nantz was having some fun while discussing the Rodgers storyline on Wednesday evening, but many Steelers fans won't be laughing if longtime backup Mason Rudolph is the club's QB1 on Labor Day.