The Pittsburgh Steelers have a quarterback-shaped question mark hanging over their 2025 season, and fans are looking toward one name: Aaron Rodgers. With Mason Rudolph currently the man under center and Rodgers still leaving everyone guessing, the buzz around a potential Steelers-Rodgers union is getting louder. But not everyone is sold—including the man who knows the Pittsburgh offense better than anyone: Ben Roethlisberger.
“It’s a Big Deal”
On his podcast Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, the former Steelers quarterback opened up about why he’s not so sure Aaron Rodgers is a seamless fit in Pittsburgh. The main issue? The offense.
“Aaron’s played in a West Coast system, like forever,” Roethlisberger said. “From what I’ve been told, this is not a West Coast system. That’s verbiage. That’s terminology.”
Roethlisberger, who spent nearly two decades running Pittsburgh’s offense, emphasized that transitioning into a new system—especially one Rodgers has never played in—isn’t just about intelligence or raw talent. It’s about the little things that make an offense tick.
More Than Just Smarts
Now, to be clear, Big Ben isn’t questioning Rodgers’ legendary football brain.
“He’s an incredibly smart man,” Roethlisberger acknowledged, even joking about calling him a “young man” before correcting himself. “Do I think he could pick it up? Absolutely.”
But the concern isn’t about Rodgers understanding the playbook. It’s about syncing up with teammates, building timing, and developing chemistry—something that only comes with reps.
“To be on the field with guys at practice… to let them hear your voice in the huddle, to hear your cadence, to hear your audibles,” Roethlisberger explained. “All that stuff. The coach and you need to get on the same page… To me, that’s a much, much bigger deal.”
Arthur Smith’s System Could Complicate Things
Roethlisberger also expressed doubt about how Rodgers would adapt to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme. He stressed that Rodgers learning a brand-new system at this stage in his career isn’t trivial.
“If this was his offense, that he’d been in before, I’d be like, ‘Not a big deal,’” he said. “But the fact that this is an offense that he doesn’t know anything about, to me, it’s a big deal.”
That’s not to say Roethlisberger thinks Rodgers isn’t capable—just that the challenge is being overlooked.
“I’m not doubting Aaron’s physical talents,” he added. “But getting on the same page with guys that you’ve never played with before, that’s a big deal.”
Time Is Ticking, and the Steelers Are Stalling
What makes this more complicated is the wait. Rodgers reportedly made a quiet visit to Pittsburgh, where Arthur Smith was present—likely to hash out how things could work between them. But as Rodgers continues to deliberate, the Steelers are stuck in neutral.
By not giving Rodgers a clear deadline, Pittsburgh is allowing the situation to stretch longer than ideal. And even if he does sign, the clock to build chemistry and absorb the system will be ticking faster than ever.
Sure, Rodgers is a genius with the football. But as Roethlisberger pointed out, football IQ only goes so far without time on the field, real reps, and rhythm with teammates.
Final Thoughts
There’s no doubt that Aaron Rodgers in black and gold would be headline material. But as Big Ben rightly points out, the glamour of the name can’t overshadow the reality of the fit. Systems matter. Timing matters. And in the NFL, even legends need a ramp-up period.
So while the idea of Rodgers leading the Steelers might be exciting, Roethlisberger’s words serve as a cautionary tale: no matter how elite the player, plugging him into a new system without time and familiarity?
That’s a big deal.