NFL insider fears Aaron Rodgers’ obsession with off-field controversies could blow up Steelers’ 2025 playoff push

"More trouble than it’s worth" - NFL insider fears Aaron Rodgers’ obsession with off-field controversies could blow up Steelers’ 2025 playoff push

By Cole Shelton

Modified Jul 08, 2025 22:04 GMT

NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers Minicamp - Source: Imagn — NFL insider fears Aaron Rodgers’ obsession with off-field controversies could blow up Steelers’ 2025 playoff push - Source: Imagn

NFL insider Mike Florio believes Aaron Rodgers and his off-field obsessions could impact the Pittsburgh Steelers' playoff outlook.

Rodgers has been known to speak his mind on political events, which some fans aren't a fan of. Florio believes those obsessions have hindered his playing ability as of late, which will hurt the Steelers' playoff chances.

"The broader point is this," Florio wrote Tuesday. "Rodgers’s in-season habit of appearing every Tuesday on McAfee’s show has been more trouble than it’s worth. If Rodgers is serious about being fully focused on football during what he’s 'pretty sure' will be his best season.

"The team’s best interests (and his own) would include avoiding a platform in which he gets way too comfortable and says way too many things that will potentially cause way too much criticism and distraction from the task of winning as many football games as possible."

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Florio believes the Steelers should try to make Rodgers just focus on the season and not get political.

The NFL insider thinks Rodgers can help Pittsburgh be a playoff team, as long as he is focused on football and not doing weekly political hits.

Aaron Rodgers is 'pretty sure' the 2025 season is his last

Aaron Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as he said that is because this will likely be his final season.

Rodgers said his body has responded well, but he knows this season is likely it.

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is it," Rodgers said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on June 24. "That's why we just did a one-year deal. Steelers didn't need to put any extra years on that or anything, so this was really about finishing with a lot of love and fun and peace for the career that I've had.

"I played 20 fricking years. It's been a long run. I've enjoyed it, and no better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL with Mike Tomlin and a great group of leadership and great guys in the city that expects you to win."

Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP and a one-time Super Bowl champion.

Rodgers and the Steelers will open their 2025 NFL season on Sept. 7 on the road against the New York Jets.

About the author

Cole is an NHL, NFL and College Sports reporter at Sportskeeda with over 7 years of experience writing for publications like CBC, USA Today, SMG, BJPENN, Sherdog and SB Nation.

An NHL fan his whole life, Cole played rep hockey in Canada from age 5 until 17 and grew up rooting for Martin St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Lightning. His all-time favorite players are Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos, while Jon Cooper is his favorite coach of all time.

Cole attended Sheridan College and received his journalism degree in 2019. After decades of watching and reporting, he considers his knowledge of sports as his primary strength. He ensures that the same story has been reported by at least two reputed reporters before creating it.

Cole enjoys playing golf and spending time with friends and family when not reporting breaking stories. His favorite sports moment is from the 2010 Olympics, when Sidney Crosby scored the golden goal in overtime to beat Team USA for the gold medal.

Know More

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Edited by Cole Shelton