32 Teams in 32 Days: Steelers Hope Aaron Rodgers Can Lead Team Out of Mediocrity

Mike Tomlin has lost six straight playoff games in Pittsburgh, but has a veteran roster that may have gotten the final piece to get over the hump.

Rodgers recently signed with the Steelers, entering his age-42 season with hopes of getting back to the postseason. / Philip G. Pavely-Imagn Images

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Welcome to 32 teams in 32 days. To get us through the offseason, we’ll be taking a closer look at every team in the NFL, in order of projected 2025 win totals. Up next: the Steelers.

Win at least nine games. Lose in the wild-card round. Repeat. 

That’s been the outcome for coach Mike Tomlin’s teams in four of the past five seasons. The proud franchise also has a six-game playoff losing streak going back to the 2016 season, the last time it won a postgame game. 

But with the clock ticking against many veterans, including T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, Tomlin and the Steelers decided to wait for Aaron Rodgers in the hopes of the middle-aged quarterback being the key to igniting an offense that hasn’t done much in recent years to help the star-studded defense. 

Pittsburgh also made bold moves at wide receiver, acquiring DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seahawks and quickly agreeing to a four-year, $132 million contract extension with Rodgers’s new top target. That was followed by trading George Pickens to the Cowboys. The team also added reinforcement for the veteran-filled defense, drafting defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round.  

The Steelers brought much-needed outside help, but now they have to take care of Watt, who’s looking for a new deal with his current contract set to expire after the 2025 season. It would be wise for the two sides to agree on an extension before a pivotal season for the franchise. 

Let’s take a closer look at the Steelers.

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