The former Steelers player isn’t exactly thrilled about the team signing Aaron Rodgers.
Ryan Clark thinks the Steelers are making a poor decision by bringing Rodgers on board, with fans of the team labeling it a “worst-case scenario.”
“This is the worst-case scenario for Pittsburgh Steelers fans. It just leads to more mediocrity,” Clark stated during his Thursday appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter. “Is the quarterback situation better now? Sure. But does anyone really believe that Steelers fans expect the standard to be championship-level?”
“I don’t think so—they’re just trying to scrape by for a wild card spot. Chances are they’ll be watching the playoffs from home and still searching for a franchise quarterback soon. If you told me I could pair the best coach of this era with one of the best quarterbacks, that would be something.”
Rodgers, who is 41, has reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Steelers, pending some physical evaluations, as the team confirmed on Thursday night.
No further details about the contract have been disclosed yet.
After spending eight years in the NFL with the Steelers, Clark has criticized the organization for its repeated pursuit of Rodgers, expressing disappointment with how they’ve approached this situation way back in April.
“Honestly, it makes me sick,” Clark remarked during an appearance on ESPN’s “Get Up.”
“Unless Omar Khan, the Steelers’ general manager, has some faith that Rodgers will return and provide some promise, then he might become a Steeler. But I feel like they’re mishandling this.”
Clark further suggested that the Steelers are being “held hostage” by players with multiple Pro Bowl accolades who haven’t contributed significantly.
“What has Aaron Rodgers accomplished in the last couple of years? Are you really saying he deserves this kind of time after leaving Green Bay while keeping your franchise in limbo?” he questioned. “This was not a smart move for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
Rodgers may be hoping for a different outcome in Pittsburgh after a challenging season with the Jets, during which he dealt with an Achilles injury in 2023.
