Aaron Rodgers called too old to finish the season as ESPN analyst predicts rookie Will Howard will take his job by December
Aaron Rodgers
may have walked into the 2025 NFL season as the face of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but if ESPN analyst and former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is right, the future Hall of Famer might not finish it that way.
In a fiery segment on Get Up, Tannenbaum predicted that rookie quarterback Will Howard could be starting by December 1, putting a major question mark on Rodgers' role in Pittsburgh.
Mike Tannenbaum sees Aaron Rodgers' age and declining protection as major red flags
Mike Tannenbaum didn't hold back in his critique. 'Aaron Rodgers is an all-time great, but he will be 42 in December,' he noted, pointing to the aging star's vulnerability behind a struggling offensive line. He argued that the Steelers should pivot to Will Howard, saying, 'Will Howard will be starting for the Pittsburgh Steelers by December 1.'
That bold call has stirred debate not just about Pittsburgh's quarterback depth, but about whether Rodgers still belongs under center in the modern NFL.
Howard, a sixth-round pick, comes to Pittsburgh with a strong college résumé, including a national title and a standout season at Ohio State featuring 35 touchdown passes and an 89 QBR. While his draft position suggests he's a long-term project, some scouts believe his ceiling is far higher than expected.
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Still, he's yet to take an NFL snap, making any talk of him replacing Rodgers speculative — but not impossible.
Aaron Rodgers embraces mentor role, but questions linger
Despite the noise, Rodgers remains publicly supportive of his young understudy. 'Will is a good kid... I thought he did really well today,' Rodgers said in June. 'He seems pretty bright, not too big for him, going through the progressions really well.' The veteran has even made it a point to sit next to Howard during meetings, coaching him on the playbook.
But not everyone's convinced Rodgers is the team's long-term solution. Some analysts, like James Harrison and Ryan Clark, believe Rodgers could become a distraction if the team struggles. Clark even suggested the Steelers should blow it up and aim for high-profile 2026 draft picks like Arch Manning.
Also Read:
Aaron Rodgers' family estrangement deepens again as biographer reveals heartbreaking communication breakdown
With the Steelers balancing hopes of winning now against the need to rebuild, Rodgers' legacy could be entering a precarious chapter. If Tannenbaum's prediction proves true, the quarterback who once ruled the NFL may soon be watching from the sidelines as the team turns the page.
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