Stephen A. Smith calls Aaron Rodgers' Steelers return 'an indictment of the organization'
The ESPN host says Pittsburgh has spent four years failing to replace Ben Roethlisberger and is now paying the price.
Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal worth up to $25 million to come back to Pittsburgh for a 22nd NFL season. Stephen A. Smith spent the weekend on First Take arguing the Steelers' decision says more about the franchise than the quarterback. 'The real indictment is against the organization,' Smith said. 'Ben Roethlisberger has been gone a long time, and the Steelers cannot find a quarterback to save their life.'
What did Stephen A. actually say?
Smith framed the Rodgers signing as the third straight veteran patch on a long-running quarterback failure. He pointed to the Kenny Pickett pick (2022), the Justin Fields trade (2024), and the Russell Wilson signing (2024) as evidence the front office has 'gone the geriatric route, waiting for Aaron Rodgers to say, yes, I'll play for you.' He called the situation 'a dereliction of duty' from a team that has not solved the position since 2022.
What does Rodgers' contract look like?
One year, $22 million guaranteed, up to $25 million with incentives. The deal includes a no-trade clause and an out for Rodgers if Pittsburgh moves on from offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Rodgers had explored Minnesota and the Giants before re-signing. Pittsburgh remained in contact throughout the offseason and was the only team to offer a starter contract.
Did the Steelers improve the roster around him?
Yes, meaningfully. Pittsburgh added receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard in the offseason to give Rodgers a deeper target tree than he had in 2025. DK Metcalf returns after his March 2025 trade from Seattle. The defensive line remains anchored by T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, and the secondary added Jalen Ramsey on a discount trade from Miami.
What is the counter-argument to Stephen A.?
The strongest defense of the Steelers is that the modern NFL QB market is brutally efficient. Real franchise quarterbacks don't come available in free agency, and Pittsburgh has drafted at the back end of the first round every year because the team keeps winning 10 games. Rodgers is a stopgap, not a solution, but he buys the team time to draft properly in 2027 when the Steelers project to pick in the top 10 if they collapse.
What's the realistic ceiling?
Pittsburgh finished 10-7 in 2025 with Rodgers throwing for 3,294 yards and 26 TDs at age 42. Books open the Steelers at +3500 to win Super Bowl LXI, 18th on the board. Vegas sees a 9-8 to 11-6 team in a hard AFC. The Stephen A. argument is right that the long-term answer isn't here. The 2026 short-term may still be a wild-card contender.
Players in this story
Sources
- Steelers Depot: Latest Aaron Rodgers development 'an indictment' on Steelers organization
- ESPN: Aaron Rodgers return gives Steelers a QB conundrum
- CBS Sports: Aaron Rodgers returning to Steelers for 2026 season
- Sports Illustrated: What Aaron Rodgers brings to the Steelers in 2026
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