Playing in the NFL isn’t for the weak of heart. While it can be incredibly rewarding, players’ mistakes are also on display for the whole world to see. Discussion among fans can get pretty brutal at times, especially when it comes to some players. The Vegas Insider recently studied Reddit conversations among NFL fans to create lists of the 25 most loved and hated players, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are represented on both lists.
Aaron Rodgers and Will Howard both made the list of most loved players, with Rodgers coming in at 10 and Howard at 18. That’s not too surprising. Rodgers is an all-time great, and Green Bay Packers fans have a lot of love for him. While Rodgers’ stints with the Steelers and New York Jets didn’t go as well, some of their fans might still have an appreciation for the four-time NFL MVP.
Meanwhile, Howard has yet to play in an NFL game, even in the preseason, but there’s a lot of excitement around him. Many Steelers fans want him to get a shot at the starting job in 2026. Additionally, Howard won a national championship at Ohio State, and while this study didn’t include college fans, there’s likely some crossover with Ohio State and NFL fans.
Two other former Steelers appear here, too. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields are ranked eighth and ninth, respectively. Wilson, like Rodgers, won a Super Bowl and had a lot of success earlier in his career. Fields’ spot is a little puzzling because his career hasn’t been great, but he’s got good character, so perhaps that’s why he’s ranked so highly.
However, Pittsburgh is also represented on the list of most hated players. Rodgers is the lone Steeler, coming in at No. 12. While he’ll be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day, Rodgers isn’t afraid to speak his mind off the field. He’s a controversial figure, and this list reflects that.
Also, Rodgers spent years terrorizing the other NFC North teams, and his level of play has dropped off in recent years. That creates more reasons for fans to dislike him.
Fields also appears on the second list, ranking at 8. He had an ugly 2025 season with the New York Jets, appearing in only nine games and throwing for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He seems like a decent person, but some fans care about that less than how he performs on the field.
This study found that Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is the most loved NFL player while Jalen Hurts is the most hated. Neither of those entries are too surprising. Allen is one of the most exciting players in the league, and his team has a passionate fan base. Hurts’ team also has outspoken fans, but they’re oftentimes left more frustrated with him.
While there’s no way to actually quantify love and hate, this list provides a fun look at players many fans feel strongly about. It will be interesting to see how it changes over time, and which players shuffle around on either list.