Steelers Legend Issues Stark Warning About Aaron Rodgers and QB Future

Pittsburgh, PA – June 29, 2025

The Steelers are entering 2025 with a defensive core built to win now, but their quarterback situation continues to spark quiet concern — and one of the franchise’s most iconic voices isn’t hiding his doubts.

Hall of Famer and Super Bowl champion Jerome Bettis, affectionately known as “The Bus,” spoke candidly this week about the high-stakes gamble Pittsburgh is taking under center. While many fans are celebrating the arrival of a legendary quarterback, Bettis is urging caution — and focus.

After years of instability at the position, Pittsburgh stunned the league by bringing in a 41-year-old future Hall of Famer on a one-year deal. But Bettis, who carried the black and gold through some of its grittiest years, isn’t convinced that talent alone is enough.

“The question is, can they protect him?” Bettis said firmly. “I don’t think there’s a question about his talent. It’s about getting that talent onto the field. That’s my concern.”

The Steelers’ front office clearly believes it has a roster ready to contend, especially on defense. But as Bettis points out, all of that could be wasted if their new quarterback — Aaron Rodgers — doesn’t stay upright.

“When you’ve got a guy who’s 41, the O-line has to be really good,” Bettis emphasized. “If they can protect him, then Pittsburgh’s got a real chance. If not, you’ll hear the same thing we all heard in New York: ‘What went wrong?’”

Rodgers, coming off a frustrating and injury-shortened stint with the New York Jets, now finds himself in Pittsburgh with one last shot at glory. Bettis sees potential — but only if the supporting cast holds up.

Beyond Rodgers, however, Bettis is openly skeptical about what the Steelers have waiting in the wings: Will Howard, a sixth-round rookie, and Mason Rudolph, the longtime backup.

“I don’t know if you can win a championship with those guys,” he admitted. “History tells you the answer is probably no. Most Super Bowl QBs aren’t Day 3 picks. It’s happened before — but it’s not the norm.”

To Bettis, Rodgers isn’t just a band-aid — he’s a last resort. And that fact alone signals how thin the margin really is.

Still, Bettis sees one critical reason for optimism: Rodgers respects what Pittsburgh stands for.

“I think he definitely understands where he’s going and what the stakes are,” Bettis said. “He knows the history of this place. And when a player knows the weight of the jersey they’re wearing, that means something.”

Rodgers recently name-checked Bettis and other black-and-gold legends in a media appearance, a gesture “The Bus” appreciated deeply.

“When I got to Pittsburgh, I knew the legacy — the running backs, the toughness, the expectations,” Bettis recalled. “I think Rodgers gets that now. And that’s a good sign.”

As Bettis prepares to tee off at the 2025 American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe next month, his message to the Steelers faithful remains grounded in truth: hope is real, but so is risk — and protecting Rodgers is the only way forward.

Stay tuned to ESPN!