Aaron Rodgers throws on a cowboy hat and jumps on a horse's back and suddenly Emmanuel Acho is high on the Pittsburgh Steelers' prospects.
The four-time Associated Press NFL MVP joined teammates in posting about a trip to Jackson Hole, Wyo., posing for photos, sitting by a bonfire, paddleboarding and riding horses. Among those he spent time with were DK Metcalf, Michael Pittman Jr. and Pat Freiermuth.
"Aaron Rodgers is at his best when he's friends with the guys he's playing with," Acho said Tuesday on "Speakeasy." "Remember, Aaron Rodgers tried to handpick his guys in New York. The problem was, the guys he handpicked were just so old that he was hanging onto past loves that couldn't play anymore. Shout out to Randall Cobb, shout out to (David) Bakhtiari, shout out to Allen Lazard. He just didn't have the talent level.
"But Aaron Rodgers is at his best when he's handpicking and playing with his guys — his James Joneses, his Jordy Nelsons, his Davante Adamses. That's when he's at his best."
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 4, 2026. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Rodgers' time with the Jets ended after two ho-hum seasons, but he's formed a bond with the guys he's throwing passes to with the Steelers.
"Based on what I'm seeing of Aaron Rodgers this offseason, I actually think they will surprise a lot of people," Acho said. "I think he should go out there and win maybe 10, 11 games. I think this will be his most successful non-Green Bay Packers season, for whatever that's worth. Because we haven't really seen Aaron Rodgers make the investment in humans like we're seeing now. When he first go to New York, I think there was a moment where maybe he went to a New York Mets game or an Islanders (game).
"Him and Garrett Wilson had a cool celebration, him and Sauce Gardner had a cool celebration. But, to me, football games are won and lost in what Aaron Rodgers is doing with DK Metcalf and with that squad."
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now : Analyst Identifies One Factor That Unlocks Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers
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