Louis Riddick: Aaron Rodgers 'has a point to prove' with Pittsburgh Steelers

Aaron Rodgers has something to prove in 2025 as he suits up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, so says ESPN’s Louis Riddick. It may sound far fetched, given what he’s already done in his career.

But Rodgers’ two years with the New York Jets were borderline disastrous, so naturally he’ll want to show the world that there’s still something in the tank. Coming off a playoff appearance, perhaps Rodgers is just what the Steelers needed.

There’s still a long way to go before the regular season begins, but Rodgers appears locked in. He’s also locked down with a new wife, which came as a surprise, so maybe this is the right timing for everyone.

“Yeah, I believe he is (the right fit),” Riddick said on Get Up. “And I said it months ago when we were talking about it on ‘Get Up,’ and I believe that Aaron Rodgers needed Pittsburgh, and Pittsburgh needed Aaron Rodgers. Aaron needs Mike Tomlin. He needs a guy who he just trusts implicitly as a leader and he can just focus on playing football and look, the Pittsburgh Steelers needed to level up at the quarterback position. 

“I think Aaron Rodgers has a point to prove. I know some people may not put a whole lot of stock in that, but this guy’s a first ballot Hall of Famer, four-time MVP who, quite honestly, if he has a shred of pride in himself, he’s going to he’s getting pissed off at the fact that people keep counting him out. I think he’s going to have a big year. I wish he would have got signed earlier, but I think it’s a good fit.”

There was a ton of conversation about Rodgers signing or not signing with the Steelers this offseason. While he said he dealt with personal issues, many speculated as to why this wasn’t going to work.

But Rodgers is here now and people in town are excited. Even some miles away in Cleveland, Browns star pass rusher Myles Garrett said he couldn’t wait to put Rodgers in his graveyard.

Rodgers will have the recently acquired DK Metcalf as his primary weapon, in addition to tight end Pat Freiermuth. George Pickens was a Steeler until Pittsburgh moved him to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Pittsburgh Steelers will open against the New York Jets on the road on September 7th at 1:00 p.m. ET. Justin Fields, who played for the Steelers last season, will play opposite Rodgers in an intriguing Week 1 matchup for the 2025 season.