A recent appearance on ESPN’s Get Up sparked significant chatter in the NFL world.
Former New York Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum delivered a bold forecast: the Pittsburgh Steelers could bench veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers in favour of rookie Will Howard before the 2025 season concludes.
Tannenbaum‘s comments have stirred debate over Pittsburgh‘s quarterback plans and the legacy of one of the game’s all-time greats.
Tannenbaum, who held the GM position with the Jets from 2006 to 2012, pointed to Rodgers‘ advancing age and the team’s ongoing struggles protecting its quarterback as major concerns.
He argued, “Will Howard will be starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers by December 1,” adding, “Aaron Rodgers is an all-time great, but he will be 42 in December.”
Tannenbaum highlighted Howard‘s credentials at Ohio State, where he posted an impressive 89 QBR and threw 35 touchdown passes, and suggested that a stronger offseason performance might have even elevated his draft stock to the third or fourth round.
Assessing Howard’s upside and Rodgers’ outlook
Selected in the sixth round of the 2025 draft, Howard arrives in Pittsburgh with a national championship and strong game tape, though he’s yet to prove himself in the NFL. At 23, he’s seen by many scouts as a high-upside player, particularly when contrasted with Rodgers, a four-time MVP at 41 years old.
Despite these doubts, Rodgers himself appears unfazed. He’s already embraced a mentoring role, stating in June, “Will is a good kid… I thought he did really well today. You know, he seems pretty bright, not too big for him, going through the progressions really well.”
Rodgers has even chosen to sit next to Howard in meetings to coach him through the playbook.
Still, Rodgers‘ off-field image has drawn scrutiny. During labor discussions in 2020, former NFLPA head DeMaurice Smith said Rodgers was “isolated and dismissive,” embodying an antagonist persona with dramatic sighs and exits.
The quarterback’s vocal concerns over a proposed 17-game schedule, phrases like “Sixteen games to me was never something to be negotiated,” left a lasting impression.
Rival experts have weighed in with mixed opinions. Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger expressed confidence in a healthy Rodgers.
“Well, I would take Aaron in his prime over Patrick [Mahomes] now,” he told listeners on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast. But analysts like James Harrison have cautioned the team, warning that Rodgers “could become a distraction if the team does not produce winning results”.
Adding to the narrative, ESPN commentator Ryan Clark suggested the team should rethink its quarterback strategy entirely. Instead of hoping Rodgers sparks a resurgence, Clark advocated embracing a rebuild to chase high-profile prospects like Arch Manning or Garrett Nussmeier in the 2026 draft.
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