Jets wrecked Steelers’ QB plans before Aaron Rodgers even entered the picture

The New York Jets may have quietly scored a win in the quarterback carousel before the offseason even got rolling. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Pittsburgh Steelers made a serious push to re-sign Justin Fields this spring, only to see him choose the Jets instead.

That led Pittsburgh to explore a potential trade for Matthew Stafford, which never materialized. Only after those efforts failed did they pivot to Aaron Rodgers. Evidently, Rodgers is a player they didn’t initially want, and one who comes with plenty of baggage.

For a team like the Jets, who have spent the last decade swinging and missing at quarterback, it’s a rare instance of QB triumph. Fields isn’t a proven franchise star, but he was clearly the top target for a team that once had him in their own building.

Now, he’s in Florham Park, and the Jets, for once, get to watch someone else settle for leftovers.

The Steelers pivoted to Aaron Rodgers after the NY Jets signed Justin Fields

Schefter’s report, shared Friday on ESPN’s Get Up, revealed the Steelers’ true offseason quarterback priorities. Before Rodgers was even a serious option, Pittsburgh had its sights set on the likes of Stafford and Fields.

The team explored a trade for Stafford, who was briefly given permission to seek a move, but talks stalled after the Rams restructured his contract. Then came the Fields pursuit, which ended when the 26-year-old turned them down and chose the Jets instead.

It’s an especially sweet development for a franchise like the Jets, who haven’t exactly been the belle of the ball when it comes to quarterback courtships.

Fans still remember the Kirk Cousins saga from 2018, when the former Pro Bowler used the Jets' offer to drive up the price in Minnesota before publicly rejecting them. That embarrassment stung, but this time, it was the Jets turning the tables, landing a QB who was someone else’s Plan A.

Make no mistake: Fields isn’t guaranteed to be the Jets' long-term answer. The Jets signed him to a two-year, $40 million deal to be a high-potential bridge quarterback.

But he still offers legitimate upside, as a dynamic athlete who flashed despite inconsistent development in Chicago and a rocky 2024 season in Pittsburgh. The Steelers know exactly what he’s capable of, and their attempt to bring him is notable for that reason.

Meanwhile, the consolation prize for Pittsburgh is a 41-year-old quarterback whose best days are behind him. Rodgers started all 17 games last year, but he battled injuries throughout and often looked like a shell of his former self.

The same player who skipped Jets minicamp last year for a trip to Egypt is now reportedly all-in for Steelers camp, but only after they ran out of better options.

For once, the Jets played it perfectly. They landed the quarterback another team prioritized, then watched their old one get scooped up as a backup plan.

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