Aaron Rodgers Names Steelers Among 10–12 Realistic Super Bowl Contenders

By Lisa F. Keith

At the 2025 Pittsburgh Steelers training camp in Latrobe, new quarterback Aaron Rodgers made headlines by declaring the team one of “those 10–12” franchises that realistically can compete for a Super Bowl title Rodgers, 41 and a four‑time NFL MVP, was introduced this offseason as a veteran signal‑caller brought in to elevate a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 2016 Speaking to media after the day’s first live practice, Rodgers said of Super Bowl conversations: “I think most of the 32 teams would probably say something similar But I really believe there are only six to eight teams that have a real chance Sometimes it’s 10 or 12 There are always teams that surprise you I’d say on paper, we’re probably one of those 10” On paper, Pittsburgh’s roster overhaul certainly supports his optimism The Steelers added cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith via a major trade with Miami in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick and a future draft pick and signed wide receiver D.K. Metcalf full free‑agency to reinforce their passing attack The team also bolstered the secondary with Darius Slay Jr alongside Ramsey, joining a defense renowned for toughness Rodgers enters a system geared for playoff contention led by Mike Tomlin whose tenure has included two recent 10‑7 seasons but consecutive Wild Card exits The quarterback views the off‑field chemistry as vital, praising early bonding moments—from lunchroom interactions to practice in the heat—as key in forging team unity Rodgers joked that Tomlin’s preference for practicing during the hottest period of the day is “interesting” but helped test resilience and stress handling while allowing leaders to emerge Behind Rodgers, the offense faces plenty of pressure to deliver The offensive line must improve from past inconsistencies, a necessity Rodgers emphasized as essential for any championship push Analysts point out Rodgers didn’t participate in much preseason work or OTAs and his first team drill practice showed rust—his initial pass was intercepted by linebacker Patrick Queen—a reminder of adjustment time He shrugged it off, saying “It’s good to get that out of the way Anyone who watched me practice over the years knows I like to try certain throws… anyone who’s watched me in games knows I’ve been pretty stellar at protecting the football.” Rodgers is career‑known for extremely low interception rates: 503 touchdowns and just 116 interceptions on 8,245 attempts—a 1.4 percent rate The defense and supporting cast offer foundation for Rodgers’ leadership to flourish Pittsburgh’s last Super Bowl appearance came in XLV, ironically against Rodgers’ Green Bay Packers where the future Hall of Famer starred in their only championship victory Seattle’s Super Bowl XLV win vaulted Rodgers into the elite echelon Now tasked with leading Pittsburgh to its elusive seventh Lombardi, he must mentor a new offense while adapting to a one-year contract that many believe signals his final season Rodgers has hinted he may retire after the year—but said, “I might, I might not,” leaving open the possibility of 2026 under the right circumstances When asked whether the Steelers are simply chasing headlines or genuinely building a Super Bowl team, Rodgers referenced Pittsburgh's aggressive roster moves and culture reset Critics, including former Pro Football Hall of Famer Joe Thomas, urged Rodgers to “humble himself” and earn locker room trust—but defenders like Cameron Heyward countered that Rodgers’ dedication and work ethic are already resonating within the team NFL analyst Ryan Clark predicted Rodgers could break Pittsburgh’s playoff losing streak, citing synergy between his experience and Pittsburgh’s defense and offensive weapons Pittsburgh’s Super Bowl odds remain modest—BetMGM continues to list them at +4500, 17th in the league, perhaps due to cautious market expectations that downplay offseason hype But Rodgers insists draft‑detecting surprise teams and rapid chemistry formation can shift outcomes He noted that although there are usually only a half‑dozen serious contenders, up to a dozen clubs can emerge in a well‑executed season—and he believes the Steelers belong in that upper tier On field and off, Rodgers and the Steelers face mounting scrutiny: can he return to elite performance levels? Will the revamped receiving unit—including Metcalf and Smith—mesh quickly? Can Pittsburgh’s historically slow starts be corrected? If the early bonding and coaching vision stick, Rodgers said culture, execution, and growth will lead to results For Rodgers, ending his career with a Lombardi trophy in Pittsburgh would close a full circle—from facing the Steelers in his only Super Bowl win, to potentially delivering their next one Rodgers sees craftsmanship, grit, and renewed belief coalescing in Steelers camp And while he concedes there are elite teams like Kansas City, Baltimore, Buffalo and NFC powers in play, he insists Pittsburgh now belongs in that conversation Ultimately, Rodgers framed the team as realistic contenders—with strong defense, new offensive weapons, veteran leadership, and organizational investment fueling his assessment Rodgers acknowledged unpredictability—“teams surprise you”—but insisted that if Pittsburgh remains healthy, disciplined, and focused, they can seize their shot at Super Bowl LX Rodgers’ outlook blends respect for competition, realism about risk, and ambition to redefine his legacy in black and gold