Aaron Rodgers May Be Destined for the Steelers, According to Matt Hasselbeck

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As the 2025 NFL offseason progresses, future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers remains without a team. While speculation about his landing spot continues, former NFL quarterback and current analyst Matt Hasselbeck believes Rodgers is "destined" to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The reasoning is simple: Rodgers is running out of realistic options. Rodgers, a four-time MVP and former Super Bowl champion, has expressed openness about continuing his career after missing most of the 2023 season and returning for a limited role in 2024. Though early rumors tied him to the Minnesota Vikings, that opportunity seems to have closed with the team publicly committing to J.J. McCarthy, their 2024 first-round draft pick. "I’ve been seeing the reports that Aaron Rodgers would prefer Minnesota—who wouldn’t?" Hasselbeck said in an interview on The Herd with Colin Cowherd. "But they seem to be already settled on J.J. McCarthy as their quarterback". McCarthy, who missed his rookie season due to injury, is expected to start in 2025. Minnesota head coach Kevin O’Connell affirmed that the team evaluated Rodgers but ultimately chose to stick with their young quarterback, prioritizing McCarthy’s development and confidence. With the Vikings seemingly off the table, the Steelers have emerged as the most likely suitor. Pittsburgh currently holds a quarterback room that includes veteran Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard, but neither has secured a long-term role. Rodgers has acknowledged ongoing conversations with the Steelers and expressed admiration for head coach Mike Tomlin.

"I am trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything," Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show. "I’ve said, listen, if you need to move on, by all means".

Steelers owner Art Rooney II has publicly stated that the organization is willing to wait on Rodgers’ decision, reinforcing the idea that they are leaving the door open for the veteran quarterback. Hasselbeck compared the quarterback free agency landscape to a game of musical chairs. "There’s only a certain number of chairs, and when the music stops, the music stops," he said. “Aaron Rodgers is going to be with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All this other talk about other teams—it’s not happening". At 41 years old, Rodgers is approaching the twilight of his career. The Steelers, a team with a playoff-caliber defense and emerging offensive weapons, may represent his best—and perhaps only—shot at contending for another Super Bowl. With few viable starting roles remaining, the decision may come down to Pittsburgh or retirement. Rodgers has proven himself adaptable and forward-thinking in his recent interviews. His respect for the Steelers’ leadership, coupled with the franchise’s willingness to wait, makes a potential signing not only realistic but, as Hasselbeck suggests, nearly inevitable.