The Baltimore Ravens may not be involved in this one, but anytime the Pittsburgh Steelers are, it’s personal. Especially when Aaron Rodgers is lurking in the background, potentially eyeing a revenge tour that starts with a trip to MetLife Stadium. Flock Nation should absolutely have this one circled—not because it impacts the standings just yet, but because it could shape what kind of circus Pittsburgh walks into this season.
Rodgers has had months to make up his mind. Sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Retire? Force something chaotic? Naturally, he’s done none of the above. Because of course, the decision was never going to be straightforward. This is Rodgers, after all—every move is calculated and personal.
Now, the NFL schedule might be giving him a reason to act. According to OzzyNFL, the Steelers are reportedly heading to New York to face the Jets in Week 1. These would be the same Jets that cut him loose in March. The same Jets he’s allegedly considered spiting by signing with New York's better half, the Giants.
If this leak is real, Rodgers now has the perfect excuse to finally sign with the one team he’s been avoiding like the plague. Because what better way to start a season than torching the team that left you behind?
Rodgers might not want the Steelers—but he might want that moment
Let’s be clear: if Rodgers actually wanted to be in Pittsburgh, he would’ve signed already. The offer's there. The roster (sort of) makes sense. Mike Tomlin’s been practically begging. But Rodgers hasn’t budged. Not when the Steelers traded for DK Metcalf. Not when they drafted a developmental QB. Not when they reportedly built their entire offseason around his maybe-eventual arrival.
But now? A Week 1 date with the Jets? That might just hit the sweet spot.
Rodgers has never hidden the fact that he plays better with a grudge. And this would be the ultimate grudge game. Walk into MetLife, in black and gold attire, and drop 300 yards on the franchise that catered to his every whim and still let him go. It’s petty. It’s performative. And it’s on-brand.
Of course, that still means the Steelers would be tying their season to a 41-year-old quarterback whose main motivation might just be revenge. If he signs, it won’t be because he wants to be in Pittsburgh... because who would right now—their former running back blew up Tomlin's spot and they traded away their No. 2 wide receiver, George Pickens, with no backup plan. It could be because the schedule gave him the chance to make a statement in the way only Rodgers can.
Look, we're not actually suggesting Rodgers is going to sign with Pittsburgh because of their reported (not confirmed) Week 1 matchup. That's outrageous. But there's no denying he wouldn't have a massive smile on his face if he did sign and they were traveling to the Jets in Week 1.
It wouldn’t mean Rodgers is chasing revenge—but maybe it’s the extra motivation he needs to finally make a decision. And if that decision ends up sabotaging the Steelers from the inside? That’s something Ravens fans can sit back and enjoy.