Rodgers, MVS Reunite in Pittsburgh-and Deliver a Vintage Moment
There’s something about Aaron Rodgers that brings out the best in the players around him-and for Marquez Valdes-Scantling, that connection runs deeper than most. After years of chemistry built in Green Bay, the wideout made a calculated move to Pittsburgh, starting on the practice squad with one goal in mind: getting back on the field with the quarterback who helped launch his career.
That reunion paid off in a big way on Monday night.
In a pivotal Week 15 matchup against the Miami Dolphins, Rodgers and Valdes-Scantling reminded fans of their old magic, hooking up for a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The score gave the Steelers a 14-3 lead and helped set the tone for a 28-15 win-one of Pittsburgh’s most complete performances of the season.
For Valdes-Scantling, the moment was more than just a touchdown. It was a return to familiar territory-making plays with a quarterback he still holds in the highest regard.
“I think he’s the best quarterback to ever play this game,” Valdes-Scantling said postgame. “If he’s 65 years old, he can still spin the ball.”
That’s high praise, but it speaks to the kind of belief Rodgers inspires in his teammates. Even at 42, he’s still capable of moments that make you pause and appreciate the artistry of quarterback play.
Rodgers didn’t light up the stat sheet in the same way he did during his MVP campaigns in Green Bay, but what he delivered against Miami was vintage in its own right: 224 passing yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a steady hand that kept the offense moving when it mattered most. He completed 23 of 37 passes and looked in full control throughout the night.
For a Steelers team that’s cycled through quarterbacks in recent years-from Russell Wilson to Kenny Pickett-Rodgers brings a level of calm and command that’s been sorely missing. He may not be the same player who once tore through defenses with ease, but what he brings now is just as valuable: experience, leadership, and the ability to elevate those around him.
And when that includes a familiar target like Valdes-Scantling, the results can still be special.
The touchdown they connected on wasn’t just six points-it was a statement. A reminder that even in the twilight of his career, Rodgers still has the arm talent, the vision, and the trust of his receivers to make big plays in big moments.
For Pittsburgh, that’s exactly what they hoped for when they brought him in on a one-year deal. And if Monday night was any indication, there’s still more where that came from.