Aaron Rodgers criticizes NFL roster decisions and meritocracy issues

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers claims the NFL does not function as a pure meritocracy when teams construct rosters. Speaking on a podcast, Rodgers noted that draft status and contract dynamics often outweigh player performance during cutdown days. He pointed to the league practice of releasing veteran players before the first week of the season to avoid salary protection clauses. Rodgers also criticized the current use of the practice squad, arguing that teams often prioritize younger players with guaranteed draft investments over veterans who perform better on the field. The Steelers currently rank among the league's oldest teams alongside the Atlanta Falcons, with an average age of 27.1 years.

• 2:00 AMYahoo Sports — ‘The NFL Is Not a Meritocracy’ — Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers Exposes Teams’ ‘Really Weird’ Practice Behind the Scenes