Aaron Rodgers has 21 years of experience in the NFL, but he'll be starting fresh for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. Every single one of his teammates will be a new face for him as he leads a different squad into MetLife Stadium to face his former Jets team. Fortunately for him, Rodgers has seen plenty of different targets over the years, some of which have plenty in common with his new weapons. Here, we'll break down four of his projected top targets and which former Rodgers target they might remind him of.

D.K. Metcalf = Allen Lazard

The Jets signed Rodgers in 2023 after a very public courtship period that included their signing of Allen Lazard at his request. With the Iowa State product still in New York, Rodgers will look to another new face in Pittsburgh to replicate that connection. D.K. Metcalf, who former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger compared to Terrell Owens on his podcast, looks to be the new hot hand. Metcalf’s massive frame (6 '4, 229lbs) is comparable to that of Lazard’s (6' 5, 227lbs), but with even higher top end speed. Lazard’s measurables and sure hands made him a dangerous home run threat, which went perfectly with Rodgers’ tendency to push the ball downfield as he posted an 11.8 ADoT (Avg. Depth of Target) with the veteran gunslinger under center. Metcalf’s career ADot is even higher at 12.7, especially after spending a large portion of last season as a complementary target in Seattle as Jaxson Smith-Njigba took over as Geno Smith’s primary target. With a thinner WR room in Pittsburgh, he looks to return to WR1 status in OC Arthur Smith’s offense. Rodgers will look for Metcalf to fill a similar role as his old friend Lazard, but ideally at a higher volume.

Calvin Austin III = Randall Cobb

Randall Cobb stands alone on Rodgers’ list of favorite receivers as the only one under six feet tall. Austin, standing at 5 '10, looks to join him on the list with a breakout year after injury and quarterback inconsistency plagued his first two years in the league. Austin’s footwork and acceleration will remind Rodgers of his old friend,as will his ability to read the defense with the ball in his hands. Austin’s talent shines when he can get the ball in space- his ability to bring in contested catches isn’t quite on par with Cobb yet. He’s looking to play more to the outside as a Z receiver rather than in the slot this season, but his skill set is still the most comparable to Rodgers’ former go-to slot target.

Robert Woods = Garrett Wilson

Inside-outside receivers with long arms, Woods and Wilson both have the athleticism to make a play anywhere on the field. At 33 years old, Woods probably won’t have the same level of burst that he had in his prime with the Rams, but his experience and football IQ will allow him to take advantage of his versatility in Pittsburgh if he can make the 53-man roster. He told Steelers reporter Joe Rutter last month that “I know DK is the guy but I’ve always competed to be No. 1". Even if he isn't the top dog in Pittsburgh, with Metcalf drawing most of the attention this year, Woods will be able to earn open looks against weaker man coverage and zone looks. His production has the potential to besimilar to Wilson’s production alongside Devante Adams last year in New York.

Pat Friermuth = Robert Tonyan

Rodgers has traditionally fed his tight ends the ball consistently, and with the Steelers looking thin at receiver heading into the season, he’ll have plenty of opportunity to do so again. Pat Friermuth, Jonnu Smith, and Darnell Washington will all see the field this season, as Smith is anticipated to have multiple-TE sets in place for run-heavy Steelers offense. Incumbent starter Friermuth, much like former Rodgers teammate Robert Tonyan, has a long frame that vacuums in jump balls in the middle of the field. Both crisp route runners, the tight ends have comparable average YBC (5.6 for Friermuth, 6.0 for Tonyan) and YAC (both 4.4). Rodgers will look for the Penn State product in the middle of the field, especially under duress.