Just about everyone seems to have a hot take on Aaron Rodgers signing with the Steelers – and Mike Tannenbaum is no exception.
The former Jets general manager didn’t hold back when discussing Rodgers’ outlook in Pittsburgh on ESPN’s “Get Up” Wednesday morning.
“I think Aaron Rodgers is gonna be irrelevant by Thanksgiving,” said Tannenbaum, eliciting an incredulous response from host Mike Greenberg.
Tannenbaum justified his claim by calling the Steelers a “non-playoff team,” and by pointing to Rodgers’ age (41) and the fact that he’s a “legend who’s going off into the sunset.”
“Tell me why [the Steelers] are going to be relevant,” Tannenbaum continued. “Because they’re the third-best team in the division, they’re going to have to find out about Will Howard, who they drafted from Ohio State, who I think is very intriguing.”
“I don’t think they can win this division, and I think by the end of this season we’re going to be talking about a massive transition.”
The Steelers signed Rodgers to a one-year, $13.6 million contract after the surefire Hall of Famer was cut by the Jets.
Tannenbaum, who was GM of the Jets from 2006-12 and part of the Dolphins front office from 2015-18, said he doesn’t believe the new-look Steelers have enough to compete with the high-powered offenses of the Ravens and Bengals in the AFC North.
“This feels personal, Mike,” joked co-panelist Louis Riddick. “I’m just kidding, but this feels personal.”
Rodgers has been participating in Pittsburgh’s mandatory minicamp, going fourth in individual reps after Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and Howard.
And though Week 1 is still months away, Rodgers has remained plenty relevant for his off-field life.
Most recently, the 10-time Pro-Bowler made headlines for wearing a wedding ring during Steelers minicamp on Tuesday – although he did not disclose who he had married.
He’ll look to keep himself and the Steelers relevant — for football reasons — deep into the season as Pittsburgh seeks its 22nd consecutive season without a losing record.