Despite this ongoing saga surrounding the Pittsburgh Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers, expectations are that he will eventually sign a one-year contract with them and finish his career in 2026. Pittsburgh's actions have made it very clear that the franchise desperately wants him back for one last run, as they try to come up with a reasonable solution for the QB position for the near and long-term future. Barring a sudden change, the 42-year-old will be on the field wearing a Black and Gold jersey in the upcoming season.
Matt Freed / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after a win in Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens in the 2025 season.
However, it may not be for the best for the Steelers to run it back with the aging veteran. NFL insider Albert Breer spoke to an unnamed NFL defensive coordinator who explained how to beat Rodgers at this stage of his career.
"According to this particular DC, what you saw as the blueprint for attacking Rodgers last year was, when defenses got the Steelers in obvious passing situations, the focus was on changing the picture on him coverage-wise as much as possible and trying to get free rushers at him," Breer said. "The logic there: While you won’t fool him, you’re cooked if you give him the answers to the test. And if you can get him to hold the ball for a second longer and you can hit him, you can aggravate him."
Rodgers has been praised nonstop for his ability to figure out what a defense is trying to do and see right through the disguises. However, things have changed a lot with his style of play since then. He has never been seen as a great runner, but throughout his time with the Green Bay Packers, opponents knew that he could and would escape the pocket and run the ball in himself whenever the situation arose.
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Former Green Bay Packers quarterback gets ready to unleash a pass during a professional football game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
That was not the case at all in 2025. He got the football out quicker than any other quarterback because he seemingly is no longer willing to get hit a lot. While he does have that ability to analyze a defense properly, he would much rather get the ball out quickly. That means he most likely is just checking it down, or launching a go ball to DK Metcalf if his first option is not open immediately.
That mindset makes it very easy for opposing defensive coordinators to stop Pittsburgh in 3rd-and-long situations. Messing Rodgers up in that first second can lead to enough panic for him to just get the ball out quickly, especially if they can free up someone on a blitz. If that happens, the Steelers may have to adapt to more of a two-down offense to help limit his weaknesses.
Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers fumbles in the end zone just before he is sacked by linebacker Khalil Mack for a safety in the Chargers’ 25-10 win Sunday at SoFi Stadium.
If this one defensive coordinator has figured this out, odds are many others also have this blueprint in hand, especially teams in the AFC North. Completing 73 passes to the backup running back is not the key to success, but Rodgers' supposed fear of getting hit led to exactly that in 2025. If anything like that happens again in 2026, the Steelers' ceiling will be a first-round exit yet again.
Steelers' New Scheme May Hurt Rodgers
The Steelers had a lot of extra linemen and multi-tight end sets in 2025, which allowed them to give Rodgers more time to throw the ball. With the new coaching staff, expectations are that the team will run more three-receiver sets, which means there will be fewer big men up front. If the coaches can't find a way to buy more time for the veteran quarterback, these opposing defensive coordinators are going to be licking their chops when facing Pittsburgh.
What do you think about the anonymous defensive coordinator revealing the blueprint to defeating Rodgers? Let us know on X at @Steelers_ChrisB.
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