Rodgers Returns: Will Steelers-Packers Be the Biggest Revenge Game of 2025?
The air in Pittsburgh crackles with anticipation. The echoes of “Here We Go Steelers!” reverberate with a renewed fervor. Why? Because the potential arrival of Aaron Rodgers has transformed the Steelers from a team on the cusp to a legitimate Super Bowl contender. And if the stars align, the 2025 season could feature a game for the ages: the Pittsburgh Steelers, led by Rodgers, against his former team, the Green Bay Packers.
The Rodgers Watch: Is He Really Coming to the Steel City?
The NFL world has been holding its breath, waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make his decision. Will he retire? Will he sign with another team? Or will he bring his four-time MVP talent to Pittsburgh?
The rumors have been swirling for months. Steelers GM Omar Khan met with Rodgers in Pittsburgh. DK Metcalf, the Steelers’ star receiver acquired in a trade with the Seahawks, has been working out with Rodgers in Los Angeles. Even Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger has weighed in, acknowledging the divided sentiment among fans, with some eager for Rodgers’ arrival and others ready to move on.
Despite the buzz, Rodgers hasn’t committed. He’s cited personal matters as a reason for the delay. But the signs increasingly point to Pittsburgh. NFL insiders like Mike Florio believe Rodgers has already committed to the Steelers and is simply working through his offseason routine. Chris Mueller, a Pittsburgh radio host, even predicted a major announcement from the Steelers confirming Rodgers’ signing.
Adding fuel to the fire, reports have surfaced that Rodgers has joined the Nevillewood Country Club, a suburban golf club in Pittsburgh. While some initially dismissed a similar rumor about Rodgers buying a house in Pittsburgh, the accumulation of these reports suggests a growing likelihood of him settling in the Steel City.
The Packers’ Perspective: Life After Rodgers
Meanwhile, in Green Bay, the Packers have moved on with Jordan Love at quarterback. Love, who signed a four-year, $220 million extension, led the Packers to the playoffs last season and has the full support of the organization.
Still, the Packers are not solely relying on Love. General manager Brian Gutekunst wants to revive the Packers’ tradition of developing quarterbacks. The team signed Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma after a tryout at rookie minicamp. Elgersma, who won the Hec Crighton Award (the Canadian equivalent of the Heisman Trophy), will add depth to the quarterback room.
Love himself has expressed excitement about the possibility of playing against Rodgers. “I’ve heard a lot of rumors that it might be Aaron Rodgers. I would love to have the opportunity to go against A-Rod,” Love said. “Having a guy who mentored me in the league, someone I got to be a backup behind, to get the opportunity to play against him, be on the other side of him, it would be special. It would be cool.”
Steelers’ Quarterback Conundrum: What Happens if Rodgers Doesn’t Sign?
The Steelers’ pursuit of Rodgers highlights their urgency to find a long-term solution at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement. The team has churned through several quarterbacks in recent years, including Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, who have since signed elsewhere.
Even with the potential arrival of Rodgers, the Steelers drafted Ohio State quarterback Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. While some analysts, like Chris Simms, are skeptical of Howard’s potential, the Steelers see him as a developmental prospect who can learn behind a veteran like Rodgers.
If Rodgers doesn’t sign, the Steelers could explore other options, including a trade for Kirk Cousins. However, the most likely scenario is that they would move forward with Mason Rudolph, who re-signed with the team this offseason, and give Will Howard an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
The Revenge Factor: Rodgers vs. the Packers
The narrative is irresistible: Aaron Rodgers, after a storied career in Green Bay, facing his former team in a Steelers uniform. The game would be filled with emotion, nostalgia, and a burning desire to prove a point.
Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Packers, winning one Super Bowl and four MVP awards. However, his relationship with the team soured in recent years, leading to his trade to the New York Jets in 2023. After an injury-plagued stint with the Jets, Rodgers is now looking for a fresh start, and Pittsburgh could be the perfect fit.
For the Packers, facing Rodgers would be a test of their new era. Jordan Love would have the chance to measure himself against his predecessor, and the Packers’ defense would have to contain one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.
The Schedule and the Stage: When and Where Could This Epic Matchup Happen?
The NFL schedule release has added even more intrigue to this potential rivalry. The Steelers are slated to host the Green Bay Packers at Acrisure Stadium.
Adding to the excitement, Steelers are playing a “home” game against the Minnesota Vikings in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the NFL’s International Games. However, the Packers will not be the opponent in that game.
Beyond the Hype: What Makes This Game So Compelling?
The potential Steelers-Packers matchup transcends the typical revenge game narrative. It’s a clash of two iconic franchises, a meeting of past and present, and a showcase of individual brilliance.
For Steelers fans, it’s a chance to witness Rodgers lead their team to victory and potentially contend for a Super Bowl. For Packers fans, it’s an opportunity to see their former hero one last time and to rally behind their new leader, Jordan Love.
Whether it’s Rodgers leading the Steelers against his former team or a battle between two young quarterbacks vying for supremacy, Steelers-Packers in 2025 has all the makings of a classic.