"Clearly superior": Aaron Rodgers' Steelers move under fire over surprising analyst verdict

Aaron Rodgers returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers believing one final season could end with another Super Bowl chase. Instead, one of the team's biggest offseason decisions is already facing heavy criticism.

An ESPN analyst believes Pittsburgh overlooked a better quarterback option, sparking fresh debate over whether the franchise made the right call by bringing back Rodgers rather than exploring a younger alternative.

ESPN analyst believes the Pittsburgh Steelers passed on a better quarterback than Aaron Rodgers

The Aaron Rodgers Steelers reunion has divided opinions since the veteran signed a one-year, $22.5 million deal earlier this offseason. ESPN analyst Seth Walder added to that conversation after grading Pittsburgh's offseason a C+, arguing the team's biggest weakness remains at quarterback despite an otherwise talented roster.

In ESPN's offseason report card, Walder acknowledged the Pittsburgh Steelers have enough talent to compete but questioned whether Rodgers can still perform at the level needed to challenge the AFC's best teams. "There is strength to this roster, but the reason the Steelers are a long shot to contend for the AFC crown in 2026 is their quarterback," Walder wrote in ESPN's offseason grades. "They chose to re-sign Rodgers on a one-year, $22.5 million deal.

He is one of the all-time greats, but the last time he was even an above-average NFL quarterback was five years ago (granted, he was the MVP that season). The chances that he comes close to his previous level of greatness are very slim.

"Walder did not stop there. While discussing Pittsburgh's offseason options, he argued the franchise had a more appealing path available.He further added, "I understand the impulse to re-sign Rodgers and maintain a higher floor, but there was at least one realistic quarterback option who I felt was clearly superior — Malik Willis, who comes with incredible upside," Walder wrote in the same ESPN analysis. He added that Kyler Murray also would have been preferable, although he believed the quarterback was unlikely to choose Pittsburgh over Minnesota.The comments have gained attention because the Pittsburgh Steelers built much of their offseason around Rodgers. The veteran reunited with new head coach Mike McCarthy, hoping to finish his career with another deep playoff run. Pittsburgh also drafted Drew Allar in the third round to develop for the future while keeping Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster.The Steelers' decision was always a short-term gamble. Aaron Rodgers brings experience, leadership and familiarity with McCarthy's offense.

At the same time, he turns 43 in December, making concerns about age and consistency impossible to ignore.Whether Walder's criticism proves accurate will depend on what happens once the regular season begins. If Aaron Rodgers helps Pittsburgh contend, the decision will look justified. But if the offense struggles, the debate over whether the Steelers should have pursued Malik Willis instead of Rodgers is only likely to grow louder throughout the 2026 season.For now, the criticism remains a projection rather than a verdict. Rodgers has yet to play a meaningful snap in 2026, giving him the chance to prove Pittsburgh made the right call. But until then, every performance will be measured against the quarterbacks the Steelers chose not to pursue, making this one of the biggest storylines surrounding the franchise entering the new season.