Ben Roethlisberger Has Wild Theory on Why Aaron Rodgers Hasn't Signed With Steelers

Newsweek - Apr 4th, 2025
Open on Newsweek

Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has sparked speculation with his theory that Aaron Rodgers is holding out hope to join the Minnesota Vikings rather than signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Discussing his views on the Pat McAfee show, Roethlisberger suggested that despite the Vikings' commitment to young quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Rodgers may still be eyeing Minnesota as his preferred destination, largely due to their strong offensive lineup. However, the Steelers remain a potential landing spot, being the only team currently showing concrete interest in Rodgers.

The significance of Roethlisberger's theory lies in its timing and the potential impact on both the Vikings and the Steelers. As the NFL Draft approaches, teams are strategizing and making roster decisions, with the Vikings having demonstrated success with Sam Darnold and the Steelers considering offensive improvements. Rodgers' decision could influence team dynamics and performance, as both franchises weigh the benefits of acquiring a seasoned quarterback. Until further developments arise, Roethlisberger's conjecture adds another layer of intrigue to Rodgers' future in the NFL.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.4
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides an engaging narrative around Aaron Rodgers' potential team choices, leveraging Ben Roethlisberger's speculative theory to capture reader interest. However, the story's reliance on speculation rather than verified information limits its accuracy and credibility. While the article is timely and relevant to ongoing NFL discussions, it lacks balance and transparency, with an overemphasis on unverified claims. The clarity and readability are strengths, but occasional factual inaccuracies and the absence of authoritative sources undermine the story's reliability. Overall, the article effectively engages with a popular topic but falls short in providing a well-rounded and substantiated analysis.

RATING DETAILS

5
Accuracy

The story's accuracy is moderate, as it is based on speculative claims rather than verified facts. For instance, Ben Roethlisberger's theory about Aaron Rodgers holding out for the Vikings is presented without concrete evidence or direct statements from Rodgers himself. The article mentions that Rodgers is unsigned, which aligns with known facts, but the reasoning behind his decision remains speculative and unverified. Furthermore, the claim about the Vikings' commitment to J.J. McCarthy lacks supporting evidence or official statements from the team. The story also inaccurately attributes D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers, which is a factual error. Overall, while the story captures ongoing speculation, it lacks definitive factual support for its main claims.

6
Balance

The article presents multiple perspectives regarding Aaron Rodgers' potential team choices, mentioning both the Vikings and the Steelers as possible destinations. However, the balance is somewhat skewed towards Roethlisberger's theory, which is speculative and not substantiated with input from Rodgers or the teams involved. The story could have been more balanced by including insights or statements from team representatives or Rodgers' camp to provide a more comprehensive view of the situation. Additionally, the article briefly touches on the advantages of both teams but does not delve deeply into the challenges or drawbacks each team might present for Rodgers.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and easy to understand, with a straightforward presentation of Roethlisberger's theory and the potential implications for Aaron Rodgers. The language is accessible, and the structure logically follows the progression from the theory to the discussion of team options. However, the story could benefit from clearer distinctions between fact and speculation to avoid potential misunderstandings. The inclusion of speculative language, such as 'wild theory' and 'could very well be true,' might confuse readers about the certainty of the claims.

4
Source quality

The primary source of the story is Ben Roethlisberger's podcast, which is not an authoritative source for factual information about Aaron Rodgers' intentions. While Roethlisberger is a former NFL player, his opinions are speculative and not based on insider knowledge. The article lacks input from credible sources such as team officials, Rodgers' representatives, or sports analysts, which diminishes the reliability of the information presented. The absence of diverse and authoritative sources limits the story's credibility and leaves its claims largely unverified.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding the basis for Roethlisberger's theory and does not disclose any methodology or evidence supporting the claims made. The story does not clarify whether Roethlisberger has any insider information or if his statements are purely speculative. Additionally, there is no disclosure of potential conflicts of interest, such as Roethlisberger's past association with the Steelers, which could influence his perspective. The lack of transparency regarding the origins and basis of the claims reduces the article's overall credibility.

Sources

  1. https://www.si.com/nfl/ben-roethlisberger-aaron-rodgers-made-up-his-mind-about-steelers-vikings
  2. https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/ben_roethlisberger_gives_secret_theory_on_aaron_rodgers_agenda/s1_17615_42001183
  3. https://www.si.com/nfl/vikings/news/secretly-still-holding-out-for-minnesota-ben-roethlisberger-s-aaron-rodgers-theory-01jqygt0z5qx
  4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfNw4Z-aQ6g