Steelers called out for 'vicious cycle' amid Aaron Rodgers' final run

The Pittsburgh Steelers may have their best chance in years to get to the championship and win it, at least if Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy have anything to say about it.

That's the goal. That's the hope. That's always the expectation.

Frankly, it would seem like a fairytale for Rodgers and McCarthy, reunited again, to go all the way with the Steelers. It's a storyline that not just those in Pittsburgh are watching. Lots of peeps in the NFL are watching this closely, and that makes the Steelers a super interesting team going into the new season.

Steelers called out amid Aaron Rodgers' final year

Not everyone looks at this temporary relationship as fun and games. In a feature out on Monday for USA Today, reporter Nick Brinkerhoff named the Steelers the No. 29 team on his "vibe check" tally. That means pretty much every NFL team has a better vibe right now, he said.

"The Steelers hit their ceiling a long time ago, and all it did was give them a headache," Brinkerhoff said. "Pittsburgh's streak of seasons with a winning record has trapped the team in a vicious cycle of trying to win when it's time to let go."

Brinkerhoff added, "This year, the Steelers are throwing a retirement party for Aaron Rodgers and inviting all of his friends. Get your wild-card round tickets now."

So, the Steelers are getting called out, but it's nothing they can't handle. There's so much excitement surrounding Rodgers getting back to this franchise, and he's also talked about that excitement, so it should quiet the noise.