When the Pittsburgh Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, speculation understandably centered on quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers had just completed the 2025 season with the Steelers, delivering their best quarterback play in years. Ultimately, Rodgers returned for a homecoming reunion with McCarthy. By all indications, this is Rodgers' last dance. The Steelers worked extensively to retool the roster, but not everyone believes it will pay off. National NFL analyst Nate Tice believes Rodgers' return is the reason it won't.
"It's the quarterback, man. It's the quarterback," Tice said during his appearance on the NFL Daily podcast. "That's what's holding me back. I think most people don't think that's the thing that's limiting it."
Tice's skepticism makes sense. Rodgers turns 43 this season, and despite the fact that he and McCarthy now speak glowingly of each other, the two had a falling-out back in Green Bay. Still, age aside, Rodgers can play at a high level. The cliff always looms for aging quarterbacks, but 2025 proved he can still throw with excellence. Tice is right that Rodgers could be the biggest factor holding this team back. He could just as easily be the reason it takes the leap forward.
Rodgers Can Lead the Steelers in an Offense He Knows
It would be one thing for Rodgers to learn a brand-new offense under an unfamiliar coaching staff. Instead, he spent 13 seasons running McCarthy's offense to major success. Rodgers can still throw the ball extremely well, and that experience only sharpens his effectiveness. If anything, returning to a system with a strong supporting offensive staff only benefits him further.
Tice also highlighted the upside of the Steelers' offensive line. Add a retooled receiver room, excellent running backs, and an elite tight end group, and Rodgers has every weapon he needs. This isn't a 2015 Peyton Manning or 2021 Ben Roethlisberger situation, both quarterbacks were nearing retirement and could no longer throw the ball well. Rodgers still can.
Even so, Tice is right that if this offense stalls, Rodgers will likely be the reason why.
Steelers Offense Lives and Dies by Rodgers
Rodgers isn't currently holding the offense back, but he could become the limiting factor. Every aging quarterback faces the dreaded physical cliff, and the Steelers hope to stay ahead of it. So far, Rodgers' arm and his quarterback IQ have kept pace. He isn't, however, the athlete he was ten years ago. He can still move a little, but if the Steelers' offensive line can't protect him, he'll become a sitting duck in the pocket. That might be his biggest vulnerability.
If he also loses zip on his throws, the offense will be in real trouble. Steelers fans saw this play out with Roethlisberger late in 2021, he could no longer move around or throw the ball effectively by the time he was forced into retirement. Rodgers would be no different if his overall physical game deteriorates overnight. He'd still have that brilliant football mind and the ability to dissect defenses mentally. But even the greatest athletes, future Hall of Famers included, eventually slow down faster than their mental game does.
So while this is Rodgers' last season, his 2025 performance shows he can still throw with excellence and process the game at an elite level. Keeping him healthy will be crucial to making this last dance with the Steelers count. Just as crucial: the golden arm that earned him four NFL MVP awards needs to keep enough fuel for one final run.
