Aaron Rodgers could get the Super Bowl farewell he wants, yet the Pittsburgh Steelers still have questions to answer

Aaron Rodgers has given the Pittsburgh Steelers a reason to believe that his final NFL season could end with more than a playoff appearance. Pittsburgh’s 16-10 win over the New Orleans Saints in Paris lifted the team to 5-2, keeping its Super Bowl hopes alive. At nearly 43, Rodgers is no longer the quarterback who could carry an offense through every challenge, but his experience still matters. The bigger question is whether Pittsburgh has enough around him to turn a promising start into a championship run. Its defense offers hope. The offense, however, still needs to prove it can deliver when the pressure rises.Aaron Rodgers' Super Bowl dream remains alive as Steelers reach 5-2The victory in Paris showed why Pittsburgh cannot be dismissed as a contender. Rodgers threw a 51-yard pass to DK Metcalf and used his experience to manage key moments, including a third-down scramble that helped secure the win. He also recorded his 540th career touchdown pass, moving into third place on the NFL's all-time regular-season list.Those achievements underline what Rodgers can still offer. Through seven games, he has thrown for 1,699 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. The numbers are respectable, even if they fall short of his best seasons. His ability to read defenses and make quick decisions remains valuable, particularly when a game comes down to a handful of important plays.Still, the Steelers left points on the field against New Orleans. They scored only one touchdown across four trips to the red zone, a weakness that could prove costly against stronger opponents. Winning 16-10 is useful, but Pittsburgh will need more from its offense if it hopes to survive several rounds of playoff football.Rodgers has already made clear that 2026 will be his final season. That gives the campaign a different feel. A Super Bowl appearance would provide the kind of farewell few players get to choose, especially after a career that has included four MVP awards and a championship with Green Bay. But the opportunity is real only if Pittsburgh can turn its solid regular-season form into consistent performances.Pittsburgh's defense offers hope, but the offense must improveThe strongest argument for a Steelers title run may not be Rodgers at all. It is the defense, which has tightened up at a crucial point in the season. Pittsburgh has allowed only three touchdowns across its last 15 quarters, while its run defense has improved after giving up 4.5 yards per carry during the opening four weeks. Over the past three games, that figure has dropped to 2.8.That progress gives Pittsburgh a chance to win games even when Rodgers and the offense struggle. It also takes some pressure off an aging quarterback who does not need to produce a spectacular performance every Sunday. If the defense keeps limiting opponents, Rodgers may only need to make a few decisive plays.The AFC remains difficult to navigate, with teams such as Kansas City and Buffalo still posing serious threats. Pittsburgh will also need to avoid the offensive mistakes that turn close games into losses. A stronger red-zone attack and more reliable scoring would make its defensive work count for more.For Rodgers, the timing could hardly be more significant. Reuniting with head coach Mike McCarthy has given his final season a sense of purpose, and the Steelers have shown enough to make a deep run plausible. Yet a 5-2 record is a starting point, not a guarantee. If Pittsburgh can pair its improving defense with a more efficient offense, Rodgers may have a genuine shot at one last Super Bowl. If not, his farewell could end well before the stage he wants.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.