Can Aaron Rodgers Bring Success to the Steelers?
Adam Martin 
Here at Free Bets, we've got Adam Martin on board to bring you the biggest NFL off-season stories as we count down to the new season.
He'll then go in depth with season previews for us as we get closer to kick off and the full list of NFL betting markets become available, looking at divisions, awards and of course, who will win the big one.
The big move of the off-season has finally happened, and Aaron Rodgers is a Steeler. Now the question that all Steelers fans are asking is can Rodgers get them a Lombardi trophy?
Pittsburgh Steelers Sign Veteran Aaron Rodgers
The Steelers have not won a single playoff game in eight years. That’s a crazy stat for a team that has the historical relevance of the Steelers. They have had a great defence over the last few years with star edge rusher, T J Watt, leading the way.
It’s been tough going offensively ever since QB Ben Roethlisberger retired back in 2021, after a 17-year career in Pittsburgh. A variety of guys have tried to replace “Big Ben”, but none have managed it so far. That job now falls to four-time MVP Rodgers to bring the good times back.
Kenny Pickett, Mitchell Trubisky, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields have all struggled to reignite the offence. Pickett and Trubisky have just not shown enough talent to do it. Wilson struggled to regain old form and Fields has potential but isn’t for now.
Rodgers does have the pedigree to win and has shown over the years how good he is. During his 17-year stint in Green Bay he produced great performances and won one Super Bowl. Not only was he a four-time MVP but he was also a ten-time pro-bowl selection.
People will say that Rodgers should have won more in Green Bay, but he didn’t always have enough support. The Packers were well known for relying on Rodgers rather than bringing in top quality support. Here he will have a high-end defence that will mean the Steelers won’t have to score loads of points.
You will be forgiven for thinking that this is all great news for Pittsburgh and the Lombardi is coming. However, it isn’t all great signs and there are plenty of reasons for Steelers fans to worry.
Rodgers is going to turn 42 in December and statistically it is clear that he is slowing down. Over the last four years his pass completion percentage has dropped from 71% to 63%. His yards per attempt have also gone down from 8.2 to 6.7
On top of that his sack rate stats have gone up from 3.7 to 6.4 over them four years. None of this is a promising sign. People will point out these figures have happened due to Rodgers move from Green Bay to New York. Some of that is fair but the tape shows that he has clearly slowed down.
Pittsburgh Steelers Odds: AFC & Super Bowl
Then you must take in to account the division that the Steelers are playing in. The AFC North is one of the toughest divisions currently.
The Baltimore Ravens made it to the AFC Championship game last season and still look great.
The Cincinnati Bengals will still be a playoff calibre team, and the Cleveland Browns have one of the best edge rushers in the game.
Here is how UK betting sites have priced up the AFC North at this stage, showing the Steelers to be third in the betting, behind the Ravens and the Bengals.
If you think they can go bigger than the AFC North, here's the latest odds on the Steelers to win the AFC Championship this season.
Finally, we also have Super Bowl betting odds and the latest Steelers odds can be seen below for them to lift the Lombardi Trophy.
Aaron Rodgers: Final Verdict
Aaron Rodgers is clearly still a capable player and the best QB that the Steelers have had since Ben Roethlisberger.
Being a playoff team should be a given and getting them their first playoff win in eight years is likely.
However, winning them a Superbowl. I have my doubts.
