rodgers.png
Getty Images

Steelers legend Terry Bradshaw isn't convinced Pittsburgh is a true NFL "contender" despite the franchise's 2-1 start to the season under new quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Bradshaw said this week that the roster has gotten stale, improvements are needed along the offensive line and he doesn't see a positive outlook the rest of the way.

"They're never going to fire Mike Tomlin. They've made the playoffs (a lot in his) 18 years, if he wins it, he'll go again 19 years," Bradshaw said in an interview posted by Yahoo Sports. "They don't have the team. It takes offense, defense, takes it all, takes coaching. Every time they get great players and they do really well … you had Antonio Brown, the running back that signed with the Jets ... all these guys are on their way to the Hall of Fame playing so great for Pittsburgh, but 'I want my money'. They don't get their money and they're out of there. That's why I wasn't opposed to Dallas' move (with Micah Parsons)."

"They're always competitive, but they're past being a contender. They're not a contender. They're just not from what I've seen. They haven't been a contender in five years."

The Steelers forced five turnovers Sunday during a 21-14 win against the Patriots, highlighted by Rodgers' go-ahead touchdown pass. Rodgers signed with the Steelers on a one-year deal this offseason after a failed stint with the Jets that came after his heightened play during his prime in Green Bay.

"He's truly one of the greats that we've had but not now, not at this stage of his life unless he's on a great football team and that's not a great football team," Bradshaw said. "Our offensive line in Pittsburgh has not been good for the last few years. Why they haven't addressed it to try and fix it, I don't know. Receivers are basically so-so. 

"And I actually came out and said we need to be developing a young kid (at quarterback) and so they signed him, which I thought was a mistake. I love the Steelers obviously, they've got to fix the offensive line ... you know what? Maybe they've got to fix their defense now, maybe it's getting old."

Bradshaw was outspoken about Pittsburgh's free agent signing this summer, calling it a "joke."

"I've known Terry for a long time, being a part of FOX," Rodgers said on NFL Network in response to Bradshaw's initial criticism. "Terry's a legend. He's an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He's had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn't know me. And so he's got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I've done, the documentary, what I've said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about."

Rodgers threw four touchdown passes in the season-opening win over the Jets before a mistake-filled effort in Week 2 cost Pittsburgh in a loss to the Seahawks.