The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 29-24 win against the Detroit Lions landed the Aaron Rodgers-led team in the history books. Their 2025 season marks the 22nd consecutive non-losing season for the Steelers. Sports personality Colin Cowherd, while praising the team, predicts how the Steelers would fare in the playoffs.

“Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers deserve credit,” Cowherd said on NFL on FOX. “They may pick up their first playoff win in 9 seasons. They had almost 5 yards of offense, an unbelievable run game, and it’s getting better in the last 3 weeks. They’re averaging over 6 yards of play. That is, those are big boy numbers. So, it’s getting better. Aaron Rodgers said, ‘Give me my guy.’ MVS, Adam Thielen, and it’s typical Steeler fashion, a wide receiver, high-maintenance drama. You gotta always deal with that.”

However, is it a permanent solution? Cowherd says no, it’s a duct tape solution.

“I’ve been saying before the year, this offense in Pittsburgh, it’s like quicksand,” emphasized Cowherd. “They have a long-term quarterback. They spend way too much money on defense. I do think Aaron’s duct tape for at least this year and another year.”

Head coach Mike Tomlin faced a herd of skeptics when he brought the 42-year-old quarterback (second-oldest in the NFL) to lead the offense. However, with the current 9-6 standing, the Steelers are aiming to finish among the top four seeds, and Rodgers’s return to the playoffs after three seasons.

He’s currently on a one-year deal with Pittsburgh worth $13.65 million. Perhaps, he’s been waiting for a last hurrah before eventually hanging up his cleats. Just recently, he told Brooke Pryor of ESPN that 2025 can pretty much be his final year in the NFL, saying:

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure this is it.”

Once he’s out, Rodgers is not going to pull a move like Philip Rivers. Then, head coach Tomlin will have to face the reality: Rodgers’ successor. Cause another instability at the quarterback, like 2023 with Kenny Pickett, then Mitch Trubisky, then Mason Rudolph, and 2024 with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, may result in havoc. Word around the town is that Tomlin already has someone in mind.

Mike Tomlin may have found Aaron Rodgers’ successor

Since the retirement questions surrounding Rodgers are inevitable, the Steelers front office, more specifically, head coach Tomlin, is exploring the market. Steelers insider Christopher Carter recently revealed Kirk Cousins as a potential successor to the four-time NFL MVP. Cousins is currently part of the Atlanta Falcons roster in a massive $180 million contract with two years remaining.

Cousins stands as the perfect replacement for Rodgers because of his stats, clocking in at a similar 66.5% completion rate and 7.6 yards per throw. He even has an edge with a higher touchdown rate in games, where both quarterbacks operate from the pocket instead of running. However, Rodgers is better at avoiding turnovers.

Cousins’ contract has an open clause for 2026, which is likely, as he’s costing Atlanta $40 million in 2025 and $57.5 million in 2026. So, the franchise could release him before 2026 with a light dead-cap, making him a prime fit for Tomlin’s rebuild post-Rodgers.

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