By Sunday 
Somehow, he’s back.
Just when Lions fans thought the Aaron Rodgers era of torment was in the rearview—after years of NFC North battles with the Packers and a quick detour to the Jets—No. 12 has once again popped up on Detroit’s radar. This time, he’s donning black and gold.
Yep, Rodgers is officially a Pittsburgh Steeler.
A Familiar Foe in New Threads
According to reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the four-time MVP is heading to Pittsburgh and will be present at the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp next week. “Aaron Rodgers plans to fly to Pittsburgh this week and participate in the Steelers mandatory minicamp next week,” Schefter posted on both X and Instagram.
He added that the Steelers “never wavered in their belief that Rodgers eventually would sign with Pittsburgh,” pointing to head coach Mike Tomlin as a key factor. “Tomlin was a drawing card for Rodgers, and was happy to work within Rodgers’ timeline. He is a major reason that Rodgers will be a Steeler.”
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero backed up the report, noting, “Finally, a done deal: Rodgers, 41, will play his 21st NFL season in black and gold.”
What This Means for Detroit
The immediate reaction from Lions Nation? Probably something like: Oh come on, not again.
Rodgers might be out of the division, but he’s not out of the picture. The Lions and Steelers are set to clash in Week 16—December 21 at Ford Field. That means Rodgers is coming back to the Motor City just in time for the holidays.
Call it poetic. Call it annoying. Either way, it’s happening.
Rodgers has historically lit up Detroit. During his Green Bay tenure, he racked up 18 wins against the Lions and maintained a passer rating of 105.1 across 26 games, with 54 touchdowns and just 12 picks. If there’s any silver lining, it’s that the Lions now have a far better team—and mindset—than they did during those years of NFC North frustration.
Steelers Get Their Man
For the Steelers, this signing is a sigh of relief. They’d been flirting with Rodgers for months and lacked any serious alternative at QB. Back in March, when asked if the team had set a deadline to get something done, Coach Mike Tomlin replied, “Not to my knowledge. I don’t know that we’ve approached it from a deadline perspective.”
He went on to say, “It’s been reported that he spent a day with us, and it was a really good day… it was really good to spend some time together, man, and get to know each other more intimately, but it is free agency. It is a process.”
Now, the process is complete. The Steelers finally get their veteran quarterback—and Rodgers gets another chance to chase one more Super Bowl.
The Bottom Line
Aaron Rodgers in a Steelers jersey might take some getting used to, but for Lions fans, the message is clear: this saga isn’t over yet.
Circle December 21 on your calendar. It’s a rematch years in the making—Rodgers back in Detroit, trying to steal another one. But this time, the Lions are ready.