"He could be on hot seat" - Chad Johnson claims Aaron Rodgers could get Mike Tomlin fired if Steelers QB fails to deliver

After months of speculation, Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday. While many have been eager to see the four-time MVP in action with the team next season, analyst and former NFL star Chad Johnson believes that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin might pay the ultimate price if the move backfires.

In an episode of the "Nightcap" podcast released on Sunday, Johnson explained that Tomlin might get fired if Rodgers doesn't perform.

"If he doesn’t play well, you know, players get coaches fired now," Johnson said (04:49). "And Tomlin could be on the hot seat for making mistakes. Obviously, he had them wait. He had the whole organization waiting. He's coming, and obviously he's signed because they got mini camp coming up very soon — mandatory mini camp.

"And he wants to be a part of that, which is also a good thing. That’s a good sign. That lets me know that he's buying in as opposed to what he did last season out there in New York. So that's a good thing."

Rodgers was released by the Jets in February. He posted 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in his final year in New York, leading the team to a 5-12 record.

Rodgers said that he was not sure about returning to the league for another season. The Steelers offered the quarterback a contract in March; however, Rodgers kept them waiting for nearly three months before putting pen to paper on the dotted line.

The Steelers hired Tomlin in 2007. He led the team to the Super Bowl in 2009, and has compiled a 191-118-2 record with the team.

Aaron Rodgers expected to get QB1 role for Steelers in 2025 season

Former New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers - Source: Getty

Aaron Rodgers is expected to be named the QB1 of the Pittsburgh Steelers for next season. The four-time MVP is likely to pip the likes of Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Skylar Thompson for the starting role.

Rodgers played 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and helped them win the Super Bowl in 2011. He was traded to the New York Jets in 2023, where he spent two seasons with the franchise.

Rodgers is set to face his former team in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season, when the Steelers travel to MetLife Stadium to face the Jets.