The Pittsburgh Steelers are ramping up their offseason strategy to strengthen their offensive line, with a key focus on Green Bay Packers tackle Rasheed Walker.
This move could set the stage for Aaron Rodgers to return, as the team seeks a blend of veteran experience and youth development to stabilize the offense.
Head coach Mike McCarthy, who shares a longstanding connection with Rodgers, is relying on trusted personnel, including offensive line coach James Campen, to spearhead the Steelers’ pursuit of Walker.
Selected in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Walker has quickly become one of the league’s top left tackles, excelling in pass protection and fitting seamlessly into Pittsburgh’s quick-pass offensive scheme.
Despite Green Bay’s hesitation to lose him, Walker has emerged as a prime acquisition target.
“After losing their final five games in 2025,” Bradley Locker reports, “The Packers enter this offseason looking to re-climb the NFC standings. Green Bay will have to navigate several notable free agents leaving, with Walker as a key decision.”
Financial forecasts indicate Walker could command up to $81.1 million, reflecting his elite status among NFL linemen. With Green Bay’s salary cap limitations and emerging talents like Jordan Morgan and Anthony Belton, parting ways with Walker could provide both savings and roster flexibility.
For the Steelers, acquiring him would not only secure a high-caliber protector for Rodgers but also allow younger quarterbacks like Will Howard time to develop behind a veteran bridge starter.
Aaron Rodgers’ Potential Return Hinges on Multiple Factors
Rodgers’ decision to return will weigh heavily on the physical and mental demands of a 22nd NFL season.
Despite throwing for over 3,300 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2025, he is taking a measured approach to determine if another season aligns with his capabilities.
With the Steelers holding nearly $45 million in cap space, a deal for Walker is financially attainable and strategically vital to entice Rodgers back.
“Both sides are open to a potential return,” ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said. “Aaron Rodgers tends to take his time on such matters, so I don’t expect a swift resolution.
But head coach Mike McCarthy likes Aaron Rodgers, of course, from his time in Green Bay. He is a bridge option for them. They’ve looked hard at quarterbacks in the 2026 draft, so they certainly could draft one.”
The Steelers’ approach represents a careful balance of veteran leadership and long-term planning. While evaluating quarterback prospects in the draft, McCarthy‘s preference for a proven talent like Rodgers emphasizes the urgency of securing Walker as a linchpin for the offensive line.
Even with mutual interest, Rodgers is unlikely to rush his decision. Meanwhile, Walker‘s potential move to Pittsburgh provides the perfect combination of salary, role, and familiarity to facilitate a high-stakes, calculated return to the field.
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