Ryan Clark Critiques Steelers' Decision to Sign Aaron Rodgers
Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark has voiced his discontent regarding the team's recent decision to sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, making his stance clear during a segment on SportsCenter.
Clark, now an analyst for ESPN, appeared on the show on June 5, where he criticized the franchise for relying on the 41-year-old quarterback. “This is the worst-case scenario for Pittsburgh Steelers fans,” he stated, emphasizing that this move perpetuates a cycle of mediocrity.
He elaborated on his concerns, asserting that the Steelers are not merely one quarterback away from Super Bowl contention. Instead, he believes that adding Rodgers will only elevate the team to a level sufficient to secure a playoff spot, but not much more. “Will this team be better? Have they gotten better in the quarterback room? Absolutely,” Clark acknowledged. “Will they contend for that championship that Pittsburgh Steelers people and fans and organization think is the standard? No, they won’t.”
Clark predicts that the Steelers will likely be fighting for a wild card position, potentially facing an early exit in the playoffs while still searching for a franchise quarterback. He suggested that had the team opted for a less experienced quarterback instead of Rodgers, they might have ended up with a worse record, thus positioning themselves for a higher draft pick in 2026.
His criticism of Rodgers is not new; Clark has previously expressed his disdain for the veteran quarterback. Following Rodgers' comments about media coverage of the NFL in December 2024, Clark labeled him a “fraud.” “This dude is once again tone-deaf,” he remarked at the time. “This dude is once again unaware. This dude is once again arrogant to a point that’s almost sickening.”
Clark's disdain continued as he described Rodgers as someone whose talent only extends to throwing a football. “He’s been a fraud. He can throw a football and that’s where it stops,” he added, criticizing Rodgers for what he perceives as hypocrisy in his statements.
In April, Clark further condemned the Steelers for allowing Rodgers to dictate the pace of their franchise decisions, questioning what merit he had to warrant such deference. “What has Aaron Rodgers done in the last two years or since leaving Green Bay that says he should be afforded this type of time?” he asked.
Rodgers' contract with Pittsburgh spans one year and includes a base salary of approximately $10 million, along with performance incentives, as reported by NFL insider Ian Rappaport.
