Madden Monday: Even with Aaron Rodgers, 'Steelers haven't really changed as much as we like to pretend they have'

In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 The X raises an interesting question about the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Has the team on the field really changed as much as some outsiders seem to believe that it has?

Madden doesn’t think so, especially when it comes to quarterback. Frankly, is this version of Aaron Rodgers all that much better than what they had last year in Russell Wilson?

The truth is that Rodgers is probably better than the version of Wilson we saw in January. But the Wilson we saw in October was pretty good.

“The Steelers haven’t really changed as much as we like to pretend they have,” Madden said. “They’ve still got an old quarterback, just like they did last year. Maybe this one will be a bit better. They’ve still got two unproven guys at the tackles. Broderick Jones moving from right to left. It’s like he’s a rookie all over again. And (Troy) Fautanu only played one game last year in his rookie season. Still no No. 2 receiver. Still thin at cornerback. The list goes on and on.”

Indeed, all those familiar issues for 2024 have carried over to 2025, especially the quest to find a No. 2 wide receiver. That was a journey the Steelers never completed in an effort to properly flank George Pickens a year ago. Now, they are looking for a running partner for DK Metcalf.

“DK Metcalf won’t necessarily make the No. 2 any better if it’s Calvin Austin or Roman Wilson or (Robert) Woods, or whoever,” Madden continued. “They don’t seem to think there’s a problem with that, do they? With Calvin Austin being the No. 2? Like you’ve said, repeatedly, ‘Well, if you have that kind of confidence in him, extend his contract now because he’s going into his final year.’”

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That said, Madden doesn’t blame the fanbase for jumping on the Rodgers bandwagon — even if most folks weren’t on board with the acquisition as Rodgers carried out the three-month decision-making process.

“It had a bit of a spurned-lover syndrome to it. But then the lover came home,” Madden added. “Aaron Rodgers finally showed up in Pittsburgh. I don’t think that that’s anything to roll your eyes at. I think that’s just the way it goes when you wait, and wait, and wait, and wait, and then the guy finally does show up. You’re glad to have him because he’s Aaron Rodgers. But he’s not that Aaron Rodgers. He’s not MVP Aaron Rodgers. He’s 41, going on 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers. We’ll find all that out soon enough — probably Week 1 when they lose at the New York Jets.”

Madden, though, is no longer preoccupied with the Rodgers situation now that he has signed. He says the bigger fish to fry is T.J. Watt’s contract.

“The Rodgers story has been overshadowed lately — certainly since he signed — by T.J. Watt holding out and the potential length that could go,” Madden said. “I think the Steelers are going to give in, but maybe not all the way. And if (Watt) won’t compromise at all, if he won’t move at all off topping (Myles) Garrett’s $40 million, being the highest-paid defensive player in football, I’m not sure that the Steelers buckle all the way.”

Also, during the podcast, Madden and I talk about the Evgeni Malkin situation, Penguins coaching hires, recent Pirates problems, Paul Skenes, Mark’s wrestling broadcast return and more.