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Are the Pittsburgh Steelers a Viable Underdog for Super Bowl LX?
With Big Acquisitions Like Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, and Jalen Ramsey, the Steelers Could Be Dark Horses
Flying Under the Radar
If the NFL news is any indication, the Pittsburgh Steelers seem desperate to end their eight-season drought without a playoff win. They have been making moves for veterans for months, adding Aaron Rodgers, D.K. Metcalf, and Darius Slay to the mix while trading a young (and immature) George Pickens to Dallas.
Now you can subtract safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, whom the Steelers traded on Monday back to Miami, where they got him from in 2019, in exchange for corner Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith.
Break my own news! 🤟🏾 #HereWeGo @steelers pic.twitter.com/vnwJLZBDpM
— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) June 30, 2025
With Rodgers sparking NFL rumors that this will be his final season, it has many viewing the Steelers as an “all-in” for the Super Bowl type of team in 2025. However, their Super Bowl LX odds have remained virtually unchanged through this offseason, and their current odds (+4000 at BetUS) are the lowest among last year’s 14 playoff teams.
Are we underestimating the Steelers in NFL picks and predictions for Super Bowl LX? Let’s play devil’s advocate and argue it from both sides.
Is Aaron Rodgers the Answer?
Rodgers is a 4-time MVP looking for a storybook ending to his HOF career. Here are the reasons to think this could work in Pittsburgh:
- He threw 28 touchdowns in 17 games last year for a Jets team that blew six fourth-quarter leads.
- He’s another year removed from his torn Achilles.
- He’s used to playing in the elements and Metcalf is a good No. 1 wide receiver for him.
- Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith loves scheming plays for Jonnu Smith.
But here is the other side of the coin:
- Rodgers turns 42 in December, an age only Tom Brady has excelled at among NFL quarterbacks.
- Aaron Rodgers’ stats have been at their worst in 2022 and 2024, and he missed the playoffs both years.
- The Steelers have a tough NFL schedule and are projected as a third-place team in the AFC North.
- Rodgers has never produced an 800-yard tight end in his career; Tyler Conklin was the fifth-leading receiver on the 2024 Jets (449 yards).
Aaron Rodgers – 800-yard receivers produced in career
WR – 23
TE – 0Most yards by an Aaron Rodgers TE
2011 Jermichael Finley – 767
2009 Jermichael Finley – 6762024 TE yards
Jonnu Smith – 889 (566 in 9 games w/Tua returned)
Pat Freiermuth – 653— Scott Kacsmar (@ScottKacsmar) July 1, 2025
For a quarterback who excels at throwing to wide receivers, Pittsburgh’s insistence on tight ends and offering little else beyond Metcalf could be a bad fit.
Is Ramsey for Fitzpatrick a Fair Trade?
Beyond the questionable fit of Jonnu Smith with Rodgers, it’s debatable if adding Jalen Ramsey to a corner group that already includes Darius Slay and Joey Porter Jr. is worth the decline at safety by moving Fitzpatrick.
All in all:
Steelers get:
🏈Jalen Ramsey
🏈Jonnu SmithDolphins get:
🏈Minkah Fitzpatrick
🏈Late-round pick pic.twitter.com/ASBUsw2wu3— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025
Fitzpatrick’s strength in Steelers games was coming up with timely takeaways (splash plays). But over the last two seasons, Fitzpatrick has just one interception and one forced fumble.
Ramsey has never been a ball hawk (career high is 4 interceptions), but he is someone who can follow No. 1 wide receivers. This revamped secondary could help the Steelers steal a game against the Bengals’ great wide receivers, but it could also leave them extra vulnerable down the middle of the field against the Ravens with Derrick Henry and that tight end duo.
The Steelers signed safety Juan Thornhill, who should replace Fitzpatrick. He’ll be the team’s seventh acquisition this offseason who is over 30 years old this season.
Mike Tomlin doesn’t have much time to make this work, but time is of the essence for such a bold experiment in Pittsburgh.
