Aaron Rodgers signing may backfire, says ESPN analyst

The Pittsburgh Steelers spent the offseason banking on quarterback Aaron Rodgers joining their team. While they pursued him, he took his time making a decision, waiting until long after the NFL Draft to sign with the team. But their efforts paid off in the end as he signed a one-year, $19.5 million contract.

Past that year? Things don’t look promising for his future in Pittsburgh, but one analyst says the Steelers may have shot themselves in the foot with this decision too.

Steelers predicted to move on from Rodgers...but for whom?

With Rodgers turning 42 during the season, speculation is already swirling about his future with the team. NFL writer Andrew Harbaugh has tipped the Steelers to pursue Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning in next year’s draft, possibly trading up for the No. 1 pick.

He argues that Pittsburgh is overdue for a franchise quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, and that Manning could be the fresh start the city and team are craving.

That logic seems obvious enough, but ESPN’s Ryan Clark added that Rodgers might actually hurt the Steelers in the long run by making them “just good enough” to miss out on a top quarterback prospect.

“I think he’ll play good enough and the team will be just good enough to miss out on a franchise guy next year,” Clark said. “One of the greatest players of the era, & one of its greatest head coaches… just years too late.”

Meanwhile, Rodgers has reportedly set a high bar for Pittsburgh’s receivers - something their coaching staff welcomes. Wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni called Rodgers’ demanding nature a “challenge” he embraces, noting it could help elevate the entire unit.

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