Cory's Corner: Let's Make Some Popcorn!
He's coming back — and it's going to be fantastic.
I’m actually excited for Aaron Rodgers going to Pittsburgh.
Do his antics get a little bit old? Can he lay on the narcissism a bit thick?
I think it’s obvious that the answers to both questions are a resounding yes.
But the NFL is also a better place with Rodgers in it. Even when he played for the bottom-feeding Jets, the NFL had a certain juice — even when he tore his Achilles just four plays into the 2023 season.
Now, we get treated to a pair of rematch games? Yes please.
The Steelers travel to East Rutherford, NJ to take on the Jets in the season opener. Then the Packers travel to Pittsburgh in Week 8 to take on the Steelers on Sunday night.
The NFL rolled the dice that Rodgers would come back for a 21st season and it came up snake eyes.
Now, does this mean that I think that Rodgers is going to be a top 5 quarterback in the league? No way. But let’s also not forget that Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last year with the Jets. He had a passer rating of 90.5 — and that was with a Jets roster that had plenty of issues, especially on the offensive line.
Rodgers has always wanted an abundance of offensive weapons. Now he has DK Metcalf, one of the most physically-gifted wideouts in the league, Pat Freiermuth, one of the best tight ends in the league and one of the best offensive lines in the league as four of starters return.
But things just got really difficult for the 41-year-old. He now has to duel with Joe Burrow twice and tangle with Lamar Jackson twice in addition to Justin Herbert, Josh Allen and Jared Goff.
If this is indeed Rodgers’ swan song, he can go out in a blaze of glory. In Week 12, the Steelers travel to Chicago. How sweet would it be if the Steelers go to Chicago and beat them with Rodgers yelling in the background, “I still own you!”
It’s almost poetic. There is so much symmetry with this Rodgers’ storyline, it is dripping with plots and subplots. I don’t think Rodgers can throw over 4,500 yards this year, but then again, stranger things have happened. He still carries a large chip on his shoulder when people doubted him when he went to New York.
Now he’s on a much better roster with a head coach in Mike Tomlin that might be the best head coach he has ever played for.
Let’s make some popcorn!
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (36)
Coldworld
June 07, 2025 at 07:26 am
Personally, I can’t find any reason to be excited or even Interested in this.
Savage57
June 07, 2025 at 07:56 am
It comes down to being a fan of the team or a fan of the game.
When he's on the field, Rodgers is good for the game.
dblbogey
June 07, 2025 at 01:30 pm
Yay for narcissists.
LambeauPlain
June 07, 2025 at 08:27 am
I admit I did not read the article...skipped down to comments, saw yours and only needed to say I agree...
...and I just do not care.
Moving on.
dblbogey
June 07, 2025 at 01:29 pm
Nobody cares but Pittsburgh fans and apparently Cory.
Since'61
June 07, 2025 at 07:57 am
Moving on... Thanks, Since '61
Guam
June 07, 2025 at 08:00 am
I'm a Packer fan and have almost never followed ex-Packer players who moved on to other teams. Rodgers is no exception for me. I wish Rodgers and any ex-Packer well as long as it is not against the Green Bay Packers. The league may like Rodgers' theater value, but for the sake of his health I hope he is not overstaying his welcome in the NFL. This is a young man's game and 41 is no longer young.
LLCHESTY
June 07, 2025 at 08:15 am
He looked like he was going through the motions the couple times I saw the Jets early so I was a little surprised to see he had a 16-4 TD to INT ratio in the last 10 games.
Likely a trainwreck but the Steelers have an young, improving OL and if Rodgers is willing to lean on the run game and not play hero ball they have a chance.
HarryHodag
June 07, 2025 at 08:24 am
Another classic case of staying at the party too long.
We've been down this road before(sort of) with Favre. I always admired the Steelers yet I can't help but think at some point they will regret going this direction. Rodgers is a cheaper alternative to Kirk Cousins but neither one is still at a high level of play.
We have enough to think about with the Packers, but it would be nice to see Jordan Love top the Steelers on national TV and finally put a nail in the coffin of His Darkness' career.
WestCoastPackerBacker
June 07, 2025 at 05:16 pm
Favre stayed one year too long. But his first year in MIN was a great season. Give Rodgers time to throw and some guys to throw it to and a decent or better defense and he should be able to get some yards. He’s got all that in PIT. Who were they going to start? Mason Rudolph? They will need to think about a future QB pretty dang soon though.
LeotisHarris
June 07, 2025 at 08:31 am
Drew Magary over on Defector described this event beautifully; including that Rodgers has found a new host organism. It'll be interesting to see what he has left, and how Tomiln handles him.
NFLfan
June 07, 2025 at 09:03 am
@LH-Tomlin and Rodgers, that's a story in itself.
Spock
June 07, 2025 at 09:07 am
"...including that Rodgers has found a new host organism". Awesome description. I will watch the Packers/Steelers game but couldn't care less about any other Steelers game w/ Rodgers at QB.
LLCHESTY
June 07, 2025 at 12:23 pm
I hope if it all turns to shit it doesn't get Tomlin fired.
Oppy
June 07, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Funny you say that, I have a good friend who's a Steelers fan, and he's hoping Rodgers shits the bed so hard it gets Tomlin fired.
I like Tomlin and cautioned not to throw the baby out with the bathwater, but he's adamant that Tomlin's success in the regular season doesn't forgive his relative lack of success in the post season, and it's time to make a change.
Coldworld
June 08, 2025 at 07:20 am
Is Tomlin really credibly responsible for the prior lack of QB options or the decision to turn to Rodgers that stems from that?
NFLfan
June 07, 2025 at 08:59 am
I got hooked on those beautiful, surgical passes and the receivers who effortlessly caught them. No one had the sheer arm talent of Rodgers. And, off-field, he showed us who he was and it was exhausting. So, I no longer swoon but I still find him a bit more compelling than most QBs.
He and GB will always be an item though it will take 4-5 years for the bad blood to run its course. (He would be wise to disappear after this year and give folks some space to remember the good stuff)
NFLfan
June 07, 2025 at 09:47 am
The fact that posters are responding to this article, indicating their 'disinterest' in Rodgers, shows a level of reactivity not usually associated with disinterest-lol.
Old.as.Lambeau
June 10, 2025 at 01:22 pm
Dead on
PatrickGB
June 07, 2025 at 09:50 am
Well, the media loves it. And I admit to being a bit interested.
stockholder
June 07, 2025 at 09:57 am
Playing at 40 at such a high level yet. -
Everyone will be interested.
The steelers are a prime time team.
I'll watch what they do just for that reason.
And so will you haters.
Bitternotsour
June 07, 2025 at 11:37 am
well, with his remarkable post-packers success I can see why you'll tune in
stockholder
June 07, 2025 at 02:07 pm
Signed for 19.5 mil for 1 year.
That speaks volumes.
LeotisHarris
June 07, 2025 at 03:44 pm
I hope he has a great year, but Rodgers’ contract is one year, $13.65 million with $10 million guaranteed. With $5.85 million of incentives, it could reach a maximum value of $19.5 million. $13.65 million is less than the Colts are paying Daniel Jones, so I'm not sure volumes have been spoken.
stockholder
June 07, 2025 at 05:18 pm
I'm sure he wouldn't have signed it if it wasn't do able.
Let's keep the salary cap in mind here.
dblbogey
June 07, 2025 at 01:33 pm
Derp.
the_gavia_pass
June 07, 2025 at 11:58 am
murphy & gutey tried to burn his last years sending him to a disfunctional franchise, like they did with favre...and artificial grass also ruined his achilles...but he is coming back, he has lost 2 years but if he stays healthy it's going to be interesting...considering how bad is developing the qb position in the nfl, having rodgers another year out there is good news
Bitternotsour
June 08, 2025 at 08:35 am
no one else wanted him...
Alberta_Packer
June 07, 2025 at 01:47 pm
What was "fantastic" for me (as a young lad) was watching the incomparable racehorse "John Henry" - in his last year of racing - being the oldest horse to win Horse of the Year – at age 9. Typically the average racehorse's career is relatively short (similar to an NFL player) - with most gallopers retired at 6 - 7 years of age.
While seeing Aaron Rodgers still competing at age 41 is impressive. His loss of form - over the last several years - has not. So I'll certainly watch the Packers-Steelers game with a usual enjoyment. Except I'll be more fixated on Love's performance than Rodgers.
GregC
June 07, 2025 at 01:53 pm
Corey needs to look up the definition of "coming up snake eyes." It's a bad thing, not a good thing.
I've had Aaron Rodgers fatigue for a couple years now and would have rather seen him retire. It will be interesting to see what happens with the Steelers, though.
jurp
June 07, 2025 at 08:57 pm
I noticed that too - he should've written "boxcars".
mnbadger
June 07, 2025 at 02:39 pm
Mike tomlin gets a lot of Love for a guy with a similar if not worse record as big Mike McM.
I'm guessing he also rolled the dice knowing he's at the end of his leash and is gambling that the 🐅's tail will give him a great joy ride vs. being consumed by mid-season.
Either way, he's set for life with a strong legacy.
No need to pity him.
GPG
Bitternotsour
June 08, 2025 at 08:41 am
Mike McCarthy, like Mike Tomlin is an excellent football coach. Process that he's never had a losing season despite not having a quarterback since Roethlisberger. It's remarkable and commendable that Pittsburgh maintains their loyalty. Unlike McCarthy (up to this point in his career) Tomlin hasn't had a quarterback actively undermining his team.
jurp
June 07, 2025 at 08:53 pm
Who?
BTW, I watch football for the game, not some story line. If I wanted story lines, I'd watch NASCAR or the WWE.
Gman1976
June 07, 2025 at 10:46 pm
I'm grateful we had Rodgers. I wish him the best. And I hope we beat the crap out of him and the Steelers when we see them this season.
TXCHEESE
June 09, 2025 at 09:28 am
Best post so far on this thread. I will definitely watch, because I watch every Packers' game I can. I hope he has a healthy season, but don't particularly care if it's a great season or a train wreck. Here's hoping he takes a butt whipping against the Packers, and he beats the other 3 NFCN teams. GPG!