One year ago, Terry Bradshaw thought Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers was ludicrous. He said Rodgers should \u201cchew on bark\u201d and go home to California. Fast forward to today, and Bradshaw has changed his tune. Or he\u2019s joined Rodgers in the bark-chewing.<\/p>\n
Joining 103.7 The Buzz in Chicago,<\/a> the same station Bradshaw made his famous comments last offseason, Bradshaw praised what Rodgers brought.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, Aaron Rodgers is perfect for Pittsburgh,\u201d he told the show. \u201cAnd I know I\u2019ve said opposite. So now I\u2019m saying the other. Because I thought this year, he played really well with a bad offensive line. That\u2019s just a bad offensive line.\u201d<\/p>\n Rodgers exceeded most expectations in 2025. With some, like Bradshaw, projected an unmitigated disaster of a 41-year-old quarterback who might create distractions every step of the way, Rodgers hardly made media waves and had his best season in years. While most of his game focused on short passes and underneath throws, he effectively led Pittsburgh\u2019s offense and posted the best numbers of any quarterback of the post-Ben Roethlisberger era.<\/p>\n He finished the year with 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rodgers\u2019 6.3 ANY\/A was his strongest since his 2021 MVP season with the Green Bay Packers.<\/p>\n Last May, Bradshaw mocked the notion<\/a> of Rodgers joining the Steelers.<\/p>\n \u201cThat guy needs to stay in California,\u201d Bradshaw said at the time, questioning if the idea was a \u201cjoke.\u201d \u201cGo somewhere and chew on bark. Whisper to the gods out there.\u201d<\/p>\n Rodgers took the high road<\/a> in his response.<\/p>\n Bradshaw admitting his mistaken comment is commendable. The only part to take issue with is Pittsburgh\u2019s \u201cbad offensive line.\u201d The young group experienced early-season growing pains and Rodgers\u2019 quick release was o-line friendly, but the group took a big step forward. Zach Frazier is a stud center, Troy Fautanu shined in his first full year, and Mason McCormick settled in at right guard. The left side features more questions, but Dylan Cook\u2019s emergence is a big positive.<\/p>\n In an encore performance, Bradshaw thinks Rodgers could perform even better.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd finally they got rid of [Arthur Smith], and finally they\u2019re gonna have an offensive mind in there,\u201d he said. \u201cI think if Rodgers would come back this year, it would be perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n Pittsburgh replaced Mike Tomlin with Mike McCarthy, with Arthur Smith exiting to take the Ohio State coordinator job.<\/a> Those changes could create a stronger and more receiver-centric passing game that meshes best with Rodgers. Bringing him back for 2026 remains a bridge, a reality Bradshaw acknowledged, but it would be the best short-term decision.<\/p>\n