Hall of Fame running back supports team decision to retain quarterback for final season
Jerome Bettis said the organization chose to keep Aaron Rodgers rather than start a younger quarterback. Bettis stated the move aligns with a long-standing approach of remaining competitive each year.
680news.comJerome Bettis, a Hall of Fame running back, said he supports the decision to bring Aaron Rodgers back for what the quarterback has stated will be his final season in 2026. Bettis told CBS Sports that officials had decided years earlier they would not rebuild by losing on purpose.
He added that the choice keeps the team positioned to compete for a championship while younger quarterbacks remain on the roster.
"The Steelers made a decision a while ago that they were not going to tank," Bettis told CBS Sports. "
veteran considerations Bettis noted that Aaron Rodgers, Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Drew Allar could all remain on the roster. He said the presence of the veteran allows the younger players to develop without forcing an immediate change at the starting position.
Bettis also said the move benefits veteran players on the roster, citing one player with 16 years of service whose defensive unit has performed consistently. "You owe it to him to be a competitive football team," Bettis said. Bettis is scheduled to compete against Rodgers at the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship this summer.
