Aaron Rodgers has been told he is a ’third-tier’ quarterback for the first time in his illustrious career.
After a protracted signing process following his release from the New York Jets, Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the offseason. The four-time MVP has been tasked with replacing Russell Wilson and Justin Fields as the AFC North franchise looks to win a playoff game for the first time since the 2016 season.
Last season, Rodgers and the Jets went 5-12 as the 41-year-old threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions. He endured a down year, and amid trade rumors and training camp at Saint Vincent College, it seems much of the league is out on Rodgers at this stage of his career.
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On Monday, The Athletic recently released its Quarterback Tiers, in which 50 NFL coaches and executives vote for the best quarterbacks in the league. The quarterbacks are then grouped, going down in reputation and quality, with Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Matthew Stafford being the five names in Tier 1.
Last year, Rodgers — coming off his shocking Achilles tear — was ranked in Tier 2 for the first time since the survey was first conducted, listed as the seventh-best quarterback in the NFL. However, following his frustrating 2024 season with the Jets, the four-time MVP is now in Tier 3 after falling nine places to 16th.
Only Kirk Cousins, who fell 12 places from 13th to 25th, endured a sharper fall in the rankings. Some executives and coaches question whether Rodgers has the right guys around him to thrive.
According to The Athletic, one defensive coach said, “Aaron has had good route runners around him when he was at his best. I don’t know who the route runner is on that team.
“Metcalf is like a bully, jump-ball, kill-you-in-the-red-zone guy. Truthfully, I have no idea how that works there.”
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Meanwhile, an executive said: “You are hoping for Brett Favre to the Minnesota Vikings, but they had Adrian Peterson, Percy Harvin, and a bunch of dudes.”
Several factors are working against Rodgers’ chances of success in Pittsburgh. He linked up with the team in June, has had to learn a new scheme under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, and is entering his 21st NFL season, just two years removed from an Achilles injury.
Still, his stats were solid last season. Rodgers played well down the stretch when the Jets’ season was already over, and perhaps improved health will lead to improved performances from the Super Bowl XLV MVP.
“He can still see, and he can still fit balls in there,” a former head coach said. “He can’t be dynamic like he was — scrambling, avoiding the rush and throwing it 60 yards down the field — but I still think he can play.”
The Steelers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Aug. 16) and the Carolina Panthers (Aug. 21) in their remaining preseason fixtures. The Steelers open the season against the Jets when he returns to MetLife Stadium in Week 1 on Sunday, Sept. 7.