Skip to main content
Join Now

Louis Riddick: Pittsburgh Steelers ‘need’ Aaron Rodgers over Russell Wilson

by:Alex Byington•03/11/25•

_AlexByington

Aaron Rodgers
Mark Smith-Imagn Images

The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ quarterback conundrum continues even as their free agent options dwindle with each hour that passes.

After a second eventual day of NFL free agency in which Daniel Jones became the latest quarterback to sign — agreeing to a one-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts — following Monday’s signing extravaganza that saw former Steelers QB Justin Fields ink a two-year, $40 million deal with the New York Jets, Pittsburgh’s beleagured fanbase is chomping at the bit for any quarterback news.

Meanwhile, last year’s Steelers’ starting quarterback Russell Wilson and 41-year-old former Jets and Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers remain the biggest names still available.

For ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, the only one real answer to Pittsburgh’s QB woes is Rodgers, and vice versa.

Louis Riddick: Pittsburgh Steelers ‘need to level up’ with Aaron Rodgers

“To run it back with Russ, it’s just not good enough. They need to level up. Aaron needs (the Steelers), just like they need him,” Riddick said on Tuesday’s NFL Live. “He just needs to go play football. Don’t worry about being the GM, don’t worry about trying to put in your own offense. Just go play football. Work with Arthur (Smith), work with Mike (Tomlin). You’re naturally going to respect them.

“Look at the weapons they have, help tutor these wide receivers, get them on the same page. You’ve got some weapons to throw to, you’ve got a hell of a tight end in Pat Freiermuth. Work with the offensive line about where you like to be protected, how these guys can all communicate together.”

Rodgers and the Steelers have reportedly been involved in discussions for days, and have been working towards a deal, according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who acknowledged Rodgers can’t technically sign with another team before Wednesday once the Jets officially release him.

Once he’s officially on the open market, Riddick believes the decision should be easy for the aging Rodgers, who is seeking the best place to end his future Hall of Fame NFL career. And as far as Riddick is concerned, there’s no place better than Pittsburgh.

“Have a positive impact on the team the way you want people to remember you as far as the end of your career,” Riddick said. “And if you win in Pittsburgh, come on now, they’re all about football, that’s all they care about there. And you can best believe the fanbase is watching right now, because there are a lot of fans that I see on my social media feeds that are sitting there saying ‘we don’t want that influence here.’ Just do it the right way and it’ll pay off for you.”