As the 2025 season looms, the Steelers are all in with Aaron Rodgers, who's teaching his O-line cadence via audio. Is this high-risk strategy a path to a Super Bowl?
StatPro NFL Beat Reporter
While most of us are getting ready for a holiday weekend, the Pittsburgh Steelers are preparing for a season of massive expectations, and it starts in the most unusual way. New quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the centerpiece of the team's supposed 'all in' strategy, is currently teaching his offensive line his cadence not on the field, but through audio samples. This bizarre reality perfectly captures the high-risk, high-reward nature of the 2025 Steelers, a team balancing Super Bowl aspirations with some very real roster questions.
Why I'm 'Out' on the 'All In' Cliché for the 2025 Steelers.
The quarterback room for training camp is officially set, and it's built entirely around a one-year shot with Aaron Rodgers. Behind him, the familiar face of Mason Rudolph provides a steady backup presence, while rookie Will Howard is tabbed as a developmental project. Skylar Thompson seems destined for the practice squad. The fact that Rodgers signed late, missing much of the offseason, and is now resorting to audio files for cadence practice underscores the compressed timeline the team is working with. It also adds context to why the front office is already keeping a close eye on the 2026 quarterback draft class, a subtle admission that this is a short-term solution, not a long-term dynasty.
Not everyone is buying the hype. Analyst Tim Benz recently poured cold water on the 'all in' narrative, arguing that the label doesn't fit. Benz points to lingering questions about the roster's overall strength and depth, particularly on the defensive side of the ball and at key skill positions. While acquiring a legend like Rodgers is a splashy move, Benz's critique serves as a necessary reality check: a single player, no matter how great, can't patch every hole. It raises the critical question of whether the supporting cast is strong enough to make a legitimate championship run.
Despite any skepticism, the one unit that looks ready for a title fight is the defense. This group was a top-10 unit in 2024, forcing turnovers in nearly half their games and carrying the team for long stretches. Their late-season dip coincided directly with the loss of T.J. Watt, proving his immense value. With Watt expected to be fully healthy and the welcome return of cornerback Donte Jackson to the secondary, the defense has the talent and track record to be truly elite. Their ability to dominate will be paramount in taking pressure off Rodgers and a still-gelling offense.
Beyond the big storylines, training camp will be defined by key competitions. The punter battle is officially on, with Cameron Johnston showing strong progress in his recovery from a serious 2024 knee injury. He'll compete directly with Corliss Waitman, who filled in admirably last season. On the offensive line, all eyes are on first-round pick Broderick Jones as he works to solidify his role as a long-term starting tackle. The team will also be monitoring the health of linemen Mason McCormick (hand) and Calvin Anderson (groin), while tight end Donald Parham Jr. unfortunately remains on injured reserve with his season-ending Achilles injury.
As the fireworks of the Fourth of July approach, the Steelers are a team of fascinating contradictions. They have a Hall of Fame quarterback learning his line's rhythm via MP3 and a defense that hinges on the health of its superstar. Is this team truly 'all in,' or is it a high-stakes gamble with more questions than answers? Training camp can't arrive soon enough, as the battles at punter and on the offensive line will be just as crucial as Rodgers building chemistry in person. The answers to whether this experiment will lead to glory or disappointment will begin to unfold in Latrobe.
