Steelers Name 4x NFL MVP Captain in First Year, 15th Time Wearing the ‘C’ After Packers and Jets

On September 1, ESPN’s senior insider Adam Schefter took to X, reporting that the Pittsburgh Steelers have made Aaron Rodgers their team’s captain. This is Rodgers’ first season with them. He signed a one-year, $13.65M deal ($10M guaranteed), joining the Steelers on June 5. Also, this is the 15th time that the veteran QB is wearing the “C” – 12 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and two seasons with the New York Jets. 

Aaron Rodgers is a team captain in his first year as a Pittsburgh Steeler. pic.twitter.com/vCu2febTAx

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2025

Not to mention, much of the Steelers’ hopes hinge on A-Rod’s performance. Last season with the Jets, he completed 63% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. Now that the Super Bowl XLV champ has moved to a new offense, these numbers could rise, given that he finds good chemistry with wideout DK Metcalf. Metcalf was traded on March 13 from the Seattle Seahawks. 

Highlighting Aaron Rodgers’ leadership and the very rhythm that he and WR Metcalf could bring, The Athletic’s Jeff Howe shared a report (published August 29). 

“Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has added a level of accountability on the practice field and in the facility, according to sources around the team. The offense appears to still be working through some things, as there’s been a lot of turnover at key positions … 

But Rodgers has been intentional about teaching as much as possible after each play. Don’t be shocked if it’s bumpy out of the gate. However, it’s fair to be cautiously optimistic that Rodgers, DK Metcalf and company will eventually find their rhythm.”

Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, will start the season against his former team, the Jets. His most anticipated matchup, however, comes in Week 8 against the Packers, where he spent the first 18 years of his career. During an exclusive interview with SI (published August 25), the ten-time Pro Bowler opened up about the situation: 

“Yeah, I’ve thought about it. I was thinking maybe coming to Lambeau would be amazing. It’d be strange… It won’t be as energized, I would say, if we were coming back to Lambeau instead of having the Packers out to Pittsburgh.”

As the Steelers QB takes on his first season in black and gold, there have been some interesting conversations about him, particularly from one ESPN analyst. 

Ryan Clark Recalls Awkward Encounter With Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers at Training Camp

Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and ESPN analyst Ryan Clark shared a viral story on the Football America! podcast about an awkward interaction with Aaron Rodgers at training camp. While Clark was eager to welcome Rodgers to Pittsburgh, the 41-year-old chose not to engage.

Clark explained his intentions and frustration:

“I have nothing against [Rodgers], he’s fine. I was like, ‘Man, I would love to sit with him.’ I’m a part of the history there. He’s the quarterback with our team now… I want to sit with him, welcome him to Steelers Nation, and just kind of have a conversation.”

The incident occurred as Clark approached Rodgers while pulling into the campus. He continued:

“He declined, he had other things to do, which I respected… Aaron Rodgers looks at me and he doesn’t say anything.”

Ryan Clark emphasized he holds no ill will, noting that Rodgers is still the best QB he’s ever played against. However, he did highlight the unusual snub in what could’ve been a simple greeting.