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Aaron Rodgers might no longer be the perennial MVP candidate he was for over a dozen seasons in Green Bay, but he showed late in 2024 that he had plenty left in the tank. He returns for his 21st NFL season after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
It's been a wild ride again for Rodgers, although not quite the saga from years past - the 41-year-old looks to set the foundation for his third NFL home in the Steel City. Rodgers aims to return to prominence after a tumultuous two years in New York, surrounded by rumors of - where or if - he will be playing football in 2025.
He may no longer be one of the league’s premier quarterbacks but he's not far removed from earning back-to-back MVPs in 2020 and 2021. Rodgers was also named MVP in 2011 and 2014 joining Brett Favre (3), Peyton Manning (5) and Tom Brady (3) as the only players to win the award more than twice.
The 41-year-old’s’ play had dropped off through the first seven games in 2024 (10 TDs, 7 INTs) but got back on track in a big way over the final 10 games (18 TDs, 4 INTs). He notoriously tore his Achilles four plays into his career with the Jets in 2023 and it took some time to get his legs back under him.
Things folded quickly in New York but the four-time MVP showed signs of life in the second half of the 2024 season. Mike Tomlin and the Steelers have managed 21 consecutive seasons with a record of .500 or better and hope Rodgers can be the one to lead them past the wild-card round for the first time since 2017.
Here are the fantasy football implications with Rodgers officially signing with the Steelers.
Aaron Rodgers 2025 fantasy outlook
Despite the Jets' poor record, Rodgers finished with 3,897 yards (8th in the NFL) and 28 passing TDs (7th). He slid in as the 19th overall QB in terms of fantasy points per game. Rodgers is the oldest player in the NFL, but his vision, accuracy and arm talent are still present.
Garrett Wilson exceeded 1,000 yards and Davante Adams managed to post 854 yards and 7 TDs in just 11 games alongside Rodgers in New York. He attempted the second-most passes in the league, which can be attributed to the inflated stats. Meanwhile, Arthur Smith's offenses with the Titans, Falcons and Steelers have leaned on the ground game. The Steelers had the fourth fewest pass attempts per game with Wilson and Fields under center.
Pittsburgh's 533 total rush attempts were only behind the Eagles (621), Ravens (554) and Lions (534). A similar output from a fantasy perspective can be expected in a better environment but with fewer pass attempts.
WR DK Metcalf fantasy outlook
The Jets supplied Rodgers with plenty of firepower in New York when they acquired Davante Adams midseason. The Steelers did the same but stocked up before Rodgers' arrival. Pittsburgh acquired D.K. Metcalf in a trade from Seattle earlier in the offseason, and according to reports, Metcalf and Rodgers have already been working out together in California during this offseason.
The 27-year-old has unmatched physical traits and is a true No. 1. He leads the NFL with 96 end-zone targets since entering the league.
Metcalf has finished between 967 and 1,114 yards in the past four seasons. His best season was in 2020, where he finished as the 10th overall wide receiver in fantasy points per game. He hasn't demanded an elite target share, but perhaps Rodgers can unlock some of the promise he displayed during the 2020 season.
Adams and Rodgers had one of the best connections in NFL history. In arguably their best season together in 2020, Adams led the league with 18 touchdowns and 98.1 receiving yards per game. It's unlikely Metcalf can replicate those numbers in the Steelers' run-first environment, but he's capable of finishing inside the top 20 at the position.
Steelers WRs fantasy outlook
The other receivers for the Steelers have intriguing value. On one hand, Pittsburgh was the fourth-most run-heavy offense in the NFL. Conversely, Rodgers showed he can support two elite wide receivers for significant stretches last season.
George Pickens was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a package that includes a third-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
With Pickens out of the fold, Calvin Austin, Robert Woods and Roman Wilson will compete for snaps and targets.
The Steelers lack a true No. 2 option. Expect the Steelers to add another veteran to the room as the offseason progresses.
As things stand, Austin will likely be the top slot man unless usurped by second-year wideout Wilson.
The rest of the receiver room is comprised of low-cost veterans and undrafted rookie free agents.
RB Jaylen Warren fantasy outlook
Rodgers will also have Jaylen Warren at his disposal, one of the most underrated backs in the league. Since entering the NFL, Warren ranks sixth in yards per carry (4.8), yards after contact per carry (3.4) and explosive run rate (9.5%).
He ranks 12th among running backs in fantasy points per touch since 2022.
Last year, the Steelers led the league with a 13.4% check-down rate on pass attempts. Warren has ranked fifth among running backs in targets per route run since 2022. Breece Hall caught 57 passes in 16 games last season from Rodgers - the fourth-most in the NFL. Dating back to his time with the Packers, Rodgers has never had a running back with fewer than 49 receptions in a healthy season since 2018.
Najee Harris signed with the Chargers in free agency, leaving the door open for a massive workload ahead. However, the backfield will likely be a timeshare again as the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round. Though, Johnson is not a threat to take snaps away from Warren on passing downs.
TE Pat Freiermuth fantasy outlook
The veteran tight end recorded a season-high 653 yards, 65 receptions and seven touchdowns in 2024.
From a fantasy perspective, Freiermuth finished 2024 as the ninth-best tight end in PPR points per game. A thin depth chart sets him up for another potential top-10 finish in 2025.
Steelers QB depth chart
With Aaron Rodgers under contract, he's expected to take the reigns under center. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph should retain his QB2 role and slot in nicely as the backup. Here's a look at how the Steelers depth chart should break down:
- Aaron Rodgers
- Mason Rudolph
- Skylar Thompson
- Will Howard
Rudolph was a 2018 third-round pick by the Steelers and returned after spending 2024 with the Titans. He signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract in free agency. Rudolph went 8-4-1 in 13 games as a starter with Pittsburgh over four seasons and 1-4 in five starts with Tennessee.
Thompson provides solid veteran depth. Will Howard was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft and now has time to develop his skills at the next level.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers signs with Steelers: What it means for fantasy football, DK Metcalf, offense
Reporting by Tom Viera, USA TODAY / USA TODAY
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