“A lot of decisions … from strictly the ego … are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling. So this was the decision that was best for my soul.” Said Aaron Rodgers as he announced that he will be hanging up his NFL boots after the 2025 season, where he has chosen the Pittsburgh Steelers to help ride off into the sunset with a successful run. But for the team and the coach that will stay here after his departure, is this the right gamble?
That is the dilemma of the season for Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Although Tomlin holds an unbroken streak of non-losing seasons, the Steelers’ playoff drought—zero postseason wins since 2016—casts a shadow over his second decade at the helm. It signals the need for a veteran addition. Yet, at the same time, Tomlin must look ahead to the next season and beyond. So, where does Rodgers fit into Tomlin’s vision?
For one Pittsburgh legend—a former head coach of the team—the right move is to focus on the present and use Rodgers exactly where he shines most.
While appearing on The Dan Patrick Show, Steelers icon Bill Cowher sent a clear message to Tomlin, from one coach to another. Cowher, known for his confrontational style and competitive fire, weighed in bluntly. He urged Tomlin not to overextend Rodgers but to deploy him with precision. Cowher believes that “Rodgers’ arrival increases the Steelers’ Super Bowl chances if he is used wisely.”
When asked by Dan Patrick how Tomlin should handle the situation, Cowher didn’t hesitate. “Absolutely—there’s no doubt about it,” he said. According to the legendary coach, Rodgers is at a stage in his career where throwing the ball 40 times a game isn’t the smartest approach. Instead, Cowher emphasized the importance of keeping A-Rod healthy for a potential playoff run. “You want him ready for the postseason,” he noted. Indeed, he suggested that in the meantime, the Steelers should aim for a more balanced offense rather than leaning heavily on Rodgers’s arm all game long.
Credits: Pittsburgh Steelers Official Website
Cowher pointed out that Tomlin should trust Rodgers in critical moments. He quipped, “You give him the ball at the end of a half or late in a game. And you know he’s been there before.” He expressed confidence in the veteran QB’s ability to execute when it matters most. Moreover, he added that his success will come down to how quickly he adapts to the system and builds chemistry with his new teammates.
Yet this is not the only reason why Rodgers is in Pittsburgh. He is planning to bring his Super Bowl standard to the Steelers’ locker room, framing this season as a bridge for developmental influence. It’s “back-seat QBing” built on years of post-practice film study, quarterback tutoring in Green Bay and New York, and now formal seasoning as Pittsburgh’s elder statesman.
Aaron Rodgers to shadow-mentor the Pittsburgh Steelers
Even though his arrival in Pittsburgh is a whole topic surrounded by confusion and questions, Rodgers’s focus is on what he makes of this season. And surprisingly, he plans to do more than play for the team on the pitch. He wants to help them beyond his departure; he seeks to help the Steelers have a young yet formidable squad. At least that is the gist for rookie quarterback Will Howard, who said, “He’s been so awesome to me so far. Holy s—, man. Aaron Rodgers is asking me questions… and I’m answering them.”
The NFL legend made it clear on The Pat McAfee Show that his presence in Pittsburgh isn’t just about elevating the team on the field—he’s also there to serve as a mentor. His veteran leadership comes with a deeper purpose: helping shape the next generation of Steelers.
“Even though I come in with that past and that background,” he said, “I think it’s important to approach this with humility.” He explained that he’s been intentional about not overstepping in the quarterback room. “In meetings, I told our QB coach, Tom Arth, ‘I’m not going to speak up or slow anything down. I’ll study on my own at the hotel and ask you questions privately. And I’m not going to interrupt the flow of the room.” Rodgers’s approach signals a quiet leadership style—one focused on earning trust, not commanding attention.
From being a quarterback to becoming a quiet mentor—sidelining himself in meetings and guiding Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard—Rodgers’s transition is more than just a graceful farewell. It’s a strategic recalibration that is reshaping Pittsburgh’s quarterback dynamics.
For Mike Tomlin, this evolution presents both a challenge and an opportunity: how to harness Rodgers’s playoff wisdom in critical moments while empowering the team’s future leaders. And at the rate things are going, he might just help Tomlin, too.
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