American Football
Steelers primed to 'go and get it' with or without QB Aaron Rodgers
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There's always a degree of bias involved whenever a former player talks up his former team, especially when that player was drafted by said team and spent six happy years there.
But there are reasons to get behind the words of Willie Colon, the former offensive lineman of the Steelers and Super Bowl XLIII-winner, who raved about Pittsburgh's chances of mounting a title challenge in 2026.
"This team is prepared to go and get it this season, with or without Aaron Rodgers," he argued, before reeling off a series of the team's defensive stars, likening four-time All-Pro Cameron Heyward to Marvel superhero Thor.
The recent trade for wideout Michael Pittman, who has more than 5,200 receiving yards and 25 touchdowns in six seasons, adds weight to Colon's argument.
Adding Jamel Dean, arguably the top cornerback in free agency, and Jaquan Brisker, a 26-year-old safety who has a nose for the football, were clearly the kind of moves Colon believes can help Pittsburgh remain in contention for a postseason berth.
The new arrivals notwithstanding, Colon's claim that the Steelers defense can carry the team regardless of Aaron Rodgers' presence is extremely bold.
The 42-year-old gunslinger is clearly not the player he once was, but he's coming off a year in which he posted his best quarterback rating since 2021, and there are few who can rival his talents as a game manager.
Joe Sargent / Stringer
If Colon's right, the Rodgers saga is merely a sideshow, and the Steelers are primed for success regardless of Aaron Rodgers' long-awaited retirement decision.
If Rodgers retires, or returns and age catches up with him, things could go south in a hurry, even if DAZN's latest mock proves right and Pittsburgh take Alabama QB Ty Simpson 21st overall.
Either way, how the Steelers navigate a transitional period, headlined by Mike McCarthy replacing Mike Tomlin as head coach after 19 years, will be appointment TV when the season rolls around in August, live on DAZN.
