NFL Analyst Says Aaron Rodgers’ Steelers are As 'Loose & Outdated' As the Jets
It was supposed to be a defining night for Aaron Rodgers. A reunion with the franchise that made him an icon was a chance to remind everyone he could still summon the old magic. For two quarters, it looked that way. Then, as the night unfolded, the game became a stark reflection of where Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers truly stand in 2025. They are efficient and respectable, but outpaced by a league that’s moved on.
The four-time MVP faced his former team, the Green Bay Packers, for the first time on Sunday night. Rodgers was sharp early, leading the Steelers to a 16–7 halftime lead behind a balanced offensive attack and three long-range field goals from Chris Boswell. But the Packers flipped the script in the second half.
Storming back for a 35–25 victory, they revealed a widening gap between an innovative Green Bay squad and an increasingly conservative Steelers operation.
NFL analyst Colin Cowherd weighed in on the loss, saying Rodgers’ new team looks alarmingly similar to the last one that frustrated him.
“Aaron’s been very good for the Steelers’ offense, and Green Bay made the smart move going with Jordan Love,” Cowherd said on The Herd. “I think Aaron now realizes what we said before he went to Pittsburgh: the Jets and the Steelers have the same issues. Defense first. One’s got better ownership, but Pittsburgh’s got issues too.”
Cowherd described both franchises as “loose and outdated”, suggesting they’re stuck in old-school mindsets that don’t fit the modern NFL.
“They’re not current,” he said. “Fourth and three? They punt or kick a field goal. Aaron’s doing all he can with a defensive coach and an old philosophy. The Steelers are just a better-run version of the Jets.”
Cowherd also emphasized that Rodgers isn’t the problem — if anything, he’s overperforming. The 41-year-old ranks second in the league in touchdown passes, completing 68% of his throws with a 104 passer rating and 16 total touchdowns through eight weeks.
“You’d take that a thousand times out of a thousand,” Cowherd said. “Aaron’s doing as much as a 41-year-old quarterback can.”
Rodgers finished 24 of 36 for 219 yards and two touchdowns, keeping the Steelers steady but unable to match Green Bay’s explosive second half.
The Packers, led by Rodgers’ successor Jordan Love, were a vision of what the future looks like. Love shredded Pittsburgh’s defense for 360 yards and three scores, completing 29 of 37 passes and connecting with 10 different receivers. At one point, he strung together 20 consecutive completions, displaying the decisiveness and creativity that Rodgers once trademarked in Green Bay.
Defensively, the contrast was even more striking. The Packers’ young, athletic unit, anchored by Micah Parsons, Quay Walker, and Xavier McKinney, overwhelmed Pittsburgh up front and swarmed to the ball. Parsons disrupted nearly every Steelers drive, generating pressure on more than half of Rodgers’ dropbacks. The Steelers’ aging offensive line struggled to protect, and their reliance on heavy sets and conservative play-calling left them predictable.
Red Sox Fans May Not Have To Worry About Trevor Story
The entire left side of the Boston Red Sox's infield is completely up in the air right now, despite a great 2025 season that saw the organization get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2021.
The left side of the infield played a massive role. Alex Bregman came over and secured third base. There's been plenty said about him, and plenty more to come with a reported opt-out coming. But, he isn't the only one. Trevor Story had a comeback season for the ages for Boston. After three injury-filled seasons in Boston, Story was healthy and thrived.
Now, he has a decision to make. He could try to parlay the 2025 season into a new deal in free agency, or opt into the final two years and $55 million of his six-year, $140 million pact. If he sticks around, it would just make everything easier for Boston. A decision hasn't been announced, but Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com provided positive insight into the Red Sox's current thinking
"As has been well-documented, shortstop Trevor Story and third baseman Alex Bregman can both opt out of their contracts and become free agents," Cotillo said. "Those decisions are due on Day 5 after the World Series.
"The Red Sox have not been formally informed Bregman is opting out but sources say all parties are still operating under the assumption that he will, as expected, trigger that clause and hit free agency instead of returning for a (deferred) $40 million salary in 2026. Boston decision makers are — cautiously — quite optimistic that Story will opt in and play out the remaining two years and $55 million on his deal. That choice hasn’t been formalized either."
The Red Sox should be hoping Trevor Story opts in
With the way that Story played in 2025, that's a bargain. Story played in 157 games for the Red Sox and hit 25 home runs, drove in 96 runs, stole 31 bases, had 29 doubles, scored 91 runs, and slashed .263/.308/.433. It was his best season in a Red Sox jersey and his best overall since at least 2021 with the Colorado Rockies.
If he were to opt into the deal, it would make Boston's life much easier. Having Story secured would allow the team know how much money they obviously have owed to him, and therefore plan elsewhere. Plus, he's an All-Star-level talent who could play either middle infield position at a high level. He already showed how much he can impact this team when he is at his best.
When the Red Sox's offense struggled down the stretch with the losses of guys like Roman Anthony and Wilyer Abreu and Bregman slumping, Story was the guy that carried Boston's offense. From August 12th through the end of the regular season, Story slashed .287/.331/.473 with seven homers, 23 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 41 games.
Boston fans finally got a look at Story thriving on the field, but he's been an important leader throughout his entire run with the team, even when injured. For example, Story has hosted "Story Camp," where he has tried to take some of the young guys under his wing over the years. Story is the real deal and Boston should absolutely be hoping he opts in.
