Steelers need more protection for Aaron Rodgers: Here’s an answer
The Pittsburgh Steelers are doing one last dance with 42-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers this season.
It behooves the Steelers to keep Rodgers upright in his final NFL season; Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton recently suggested a move to shore up the offensive line. Moton tabbed former Detroit Lions offensive tackle Taylor Decker as a free agent fit for the Steelers.
After all, Decker announced he would be back for the 2026 season in February, after his Instagram announcement. Moton also noted the fact that Decker showed starter-level play last season.
“The Pittsburgh Steelers have a question mark at left tackle. At that position, Broderick Jones has struggled in pass protection, and the team doesn’t have a timetable for his full return from a neck injury,” Moton wrote. “Troy Fautanu took reps at left tackle during the spring, but he lined up exclusively on the right side through his first two seasons. With Decker in the fold, the Steelers can adopt a measured approach to addressing their tackle spots.”
Pittsburgh can’t afford to pass on a move like this since the team has Super Bowl aspirations, and that will crater if Rodgers goes down with an injury. Rodgers took 29 sacks last season, which was his lowest since 2020 with the Green Bay Packers.
That said, the Steelers also need Decker to help with run blocking. Pittsburgh fielded one of the worst running attacks last season, and running backs Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle are expected to right the ship.
If the Steelers are at all thin at offensive tackle, that could spell trouble when running to the outside. That would put more pressure on Rodgers, which is the opposite of the offense the Steelers need to have with the league’s oldest player.
Pittsburgh only has $6 million in salary cap space to work with, but finding a way to add Decker would be priceless for Rodgers and company. It won’t come easily, as Decker previously had a three-year, $60 million deal with the Lions.
