Aaron Rodgers' act is tired, but Pittsburgh Steelers share blame | Opinion

Easy as it is to faultAaron Rodgersfor the most insufferable soap opera in NFL history, thePittsburgh Steelersdeserve equal billing in the latest episode.

Rodgers is never going to act in someone else’s best interest, and he’s always going to find a way to stay in the spotlight. This offseason is no different. Having already left theSteelersin limbo during free agency over his intentions to either play in 2026 or retire,he seems set to do it againfor this week’s NFL draft.

No big deal. It’s just the most important position on Pittsburgh’s roster, and every personnel move the Steelers make or, in this case don’t make, is amplified because they’re hosting this year’s draft.

It’svintage Rodgers, as predictable as it is tiresome.

Steelers chose another offseason of Aaron Rodgers speculation

But the Steelers are not helpless here. They could have called Rodgers’ bluff weeks ago and given him a deadline. They could have pursuedKirk CousinsorKyler Murrayin free agency. Heck, they could have set the tone with Rodgers by showing some backbone last season, when he hemmed and hawed for months until finallysigning a contract in June.

Instead, they’re letting Rodgers do what he does. Control the narrative regardless of the impact on anyone else.

“I think a decision is coming soon,”Steelers owner Art Rooney II told ESPN’s Brooke Pryorat the NFL’s annual meeting last month. “I would say by the draft I would expect an answer."

Yet here we are.

Steelers don't have great QB options beyond Aaron Rodgers' return

It is, of course, Rodgers’ prerogative to take the time he needs to make his decision. Sit with his feelings, have his chakras read, whatever it is he does that gives him clarity. Or maybe, similar to last year, he and the Steelers have an understanding and he’ll re-sign when those annoying offseason workouts are over.

That wouldn’t be a surprise, given Rodgers' history with newSteelers head coach Mike McCarthy. McCarthy was Rodgers’ first NFL coach, and the two won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay.

“I have not talked to (Rodgers),” Rooney said at the annual meeting. “(McCarthy) has been in contact with him pretty regularly."

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But nothing is ever done until it’s actually done, and we’re not talking about the backup kicker here.

If Rodgers doesn’t re-up, Pittsburgh’s choices are to hopeWill Howardturns out to be as good as a certain other sixth-round QB from a Big Ten school or hopeMason Rudolphturns out to be more than a career backup.

Not great options, either one of them.

New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

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Washington Commanders

Terry McLaurin #17 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with Jayden Daniels #5 after catching a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Ford Field on January 18, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan.

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New York Giants

Jaxson Dart #6 and Cam Skattebo #44 of the New York Giants celebrate after Skattebo carried the ball into the endzone for a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on October 09, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

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Tennessee Titans

Head coach Brian Callahan talks with Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter of a game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium on October 05, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona.

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Cleveland Browns

Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns reacts to a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on November 23, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

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Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott #4 and CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after their touchdown connection against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on November 27, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.

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Las Vegas Raiders

Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders celebrates after a missed field goal during the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on September 07, 2025, in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

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Miami Dolphins

De'Von Achane #28 of the Miami Dolphins rushes for yards against Brandin Echols #26 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of the game at Acrisure Stadium on December 15, 2025, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs and Andy Reid interact against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium on September 21, 2025, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> New York Jets

Head coach Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets looks on during the fourth quarter against the Green Bay Packers during the NFL Preseason 2025 game between New York Jets and Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on August 09, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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The 10 NFL teams with the most at stake in the 2026 draft

10. New Orleans Saints
    
    Tyler Shough #6 of the New Orleans Saints and Chris Olave #12 celebrate a touchdown during the second half against the Carolina Panthers in the game at Bank of America Stadium on November 09, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Aaron Rodgers' best days are behind him

And say Rodgers does decide he wants to play this season. Apologies to Steelers fans, but he’s not going to pull off a Tom Brady and take Pittsburgh to the Super Bowl.

Rodgers is still a better QB than many, and his mind and experience was enough to overcome his physical limitations last year and get the Steelers to the playoffs. Pittsburgh also could do worse than having Howard learn behind Rodgers for a second year.

But at 42, the four-time MVP’s best years are behind him. Rodgers doesn’t have the mobility that once made him so dangerous, and his stats last year were good, not great. His last throw in Pittsburgh’s loss to the Houston Texans in the wild-card game wasan interception.

Even if Rodgers takes the Steelers to the playoffs again, then what? Another offseason of “will he or won’t he”? Another season of kicking the proverbial can down the road?

At best, Rodgers is a Band-Aid. Just as Russell Wilson was intended to be.

The Steelers should have done what Rodgers’ old team did: Draft their franchise QB’s replacement while they still had him. But they didn’t do that. So here they sit, willing hostages to the whims of an aging quarterback.

It's a circus, and the Steelers were happy to pay the admission.

Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Pittsburgh Steelers willing hostages in Aaron Rodgers drama

byJastin Mags

in

April 21, 2026

Aaron Rodgers' act is tired, but Pittsburgh Steelers share blame | Opinion

Easy as it is to faultAaron Rodgersfor the most insufferable soap opera in NFL history, thePittsburgh Steelersdeserve equal billing in ...

Read More

Side-By-Sides That Show The Cast Of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ 20 Years After The Original Premiere

Nearly two decades afterThe Devil Wears Pradabecame a defining pop-culture moment, its long-awaited sequel,The Devil Wears Prada 2, is finally here, and the evolution of its stars is just as headline-worthy as the storyline.

Premiering at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 20, 2026, with a wide theatrical release set for May 1, 2026, the film brings back iconic characters played by Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, Stanley Tucci, and more.

This time, the fashion world is set against the decline of print media and the rise of a digital-first era.

But while Streep’s character Miranda Priestly may be navigating change, fans can’t get over how little the cast seems to have changed since 2006.

Viewers celebrated the transformation, with one fan writing, “Proof you can get better with age,” while another gushed, “The Devil Wears Prada era still hits just as hard.”

Take a look at these side-by-sides from the film’s premieres across two decades, highlighting how the stars have evolved both professionally and in real life since the original and its sequel.

When it comes to understated style, Stanley Tucci has always played it cool, even on Hollywood’s biggest red carpets.At the 2006 premiere, the actor embraced a relaxed yet polished look, stepping out with his late wife, Kate Tucci, in a dark navy two-button suit paired with a crisp white shirt.Skipping the tie altogether, Tucci left the top button undone, accessorizing the look with black dress shoes and his now-iconic thick, black-framed glasses, an accessory that would later become synonymous with his character, Nigel.For the 2026 premiere, Tucci leaned into the film’s high-fashion roots, wearing a sleek black velvet jacket layered over a crisp white shirt and a neatly tied grey tie, paired with tailored black trousers.On screen, Nigel returns as Miranda Priestly’s trusted confidant, helping steerRunwaymagazine through its challenges while navigatingrising tensionswithin the team.Stanley has since become a beloved multi-hyphenate star, from earning an Oscar nomination forThe Lovely Bonesto becoming a global culinary favorite with his seriesStanley Tucci: Searching for Italy.He has carved out a unique space that blends film, food, and lifestyle, with his viral cocktail videos in 2020 further solidifying his status and leading to major fashion collaborations with brands like Tom Ford and Tanqueray.

© Photo:Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Meryl Streep’s 2006 premiere red carpet look was a surprising contrast to the high-fashion aesthetic preferred by her character, Miranda Priestly.Instead of channeling the icy corporate energy of the role, Streep opted for a softer, slightly bohemian ensemble, pairing a long-sleeve satin blouse with a sequined knee-length skirt, layered under a delicate beige shawl with lace detailing.She completed the look with her signature black-framed glasses, simple silver hoop earrings, and classic white heels.Decades later, for the 2026 premiere, Streep surprised fans by doing exactly what everyone had been waiting for: she fully stepped into Miranda’s shoes.Wearing a dramatic red cape coat from Givenchy’s Fall 2026 collection, she delivered a head-turning high-fashion moment, complete with black leather opera gloves, oversized sunglasses, and statement jewelry.On screen, Miranda returns facing the decline of print media and a high-stakes rivalry with her former assistant Emily Charlton, played by Emily Blunt.The veteran actress herself has noted that the character is now “20 years older and smarter, meaner,” navigating a world where digital influence is the new currency.In the years since the first film premiered, Streep’s legacy has only grown stronger, with three Academy Awards, a record-breaking 21 nominations, and standout performances across blockbuster films and television.She has also received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014, America’s highest civilian honor, from President Barack Obama, as well as the Golden Globe’s Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2017, where she famously advocated for the importance of empathy and the arts.And if her red carpet transformation proves anything, it’s that Priestly remains one of the most iconic and fan-favorite characters to this day.One netizen gushed, “Meryl Streep really defined timeless elegance,Miranda Priestly then and now is still THAT standard!!”A second user added, “Still bossing everyone, timelessly fabulous!”Others expressed, “Meryl Streep is mother…What an ageless queen!”

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© Photo:Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

During the red carpet appearance for the first film, Emily Blunt embraced the 2000s era’s signature style in a curve-hugging magenta dress featuring a black lace hem and a matching sash.She paired the look with a voluminous “pouf” hairstyle, smoky eye makeup, and heels adorned with black-and-white gem detailing.In contrast, for the sequel’s premiere, Emily stunned in an ivory Schiaparelli couture gown featuring a sculptural raffia bodice and a voluminous tiered skirt that reportedly took over 4,000 hours to create.She completed the look with over 300 Akoya cultured pearls from Mikimoto, delivering one of the most talked-about ensembles of the night.On screen, her character Emily Charlton, once Miranda Priestly’s fiercely loyal and sharp-tongued assistant, now returns as a powerful executive controlling the luxury advertising budgets that her former boss desperately needs to sustain her magazine, setting the stage for a high-stakes face-off between the two ladies.Blunt hasreflectedon the role with humor, describing her return as “slipping into a deranged pair of old slippers,” adding that while Charlton may have evolved “physically and monetarily,” she remains just as chaotic as ever.In real life, Blunt’s career trajectory has been equally impressive.From earning critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination forOppenheimerto leading major franchises likeA Quiet Placeand stepping into iconic roles such asMary Poppins Returns, she has proven her versatility across genres.“She’s the only one who understood that she was going to a premiere for a movie about fashion,” one user said, while another commented, “Red carpet appearances like this always draw attention, and Emily Blunt rarely misses when it comes to style.”

© Photo:Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

When Anne Hathaway stepped onto the red carpet for the first film’s premiere, she was just beginning to step into her iconic character Andy Sachs’ world, and her own fashion evolution.For the occasion, Hathaway stunned in a bold crimson floor-length gown featuring a plunging cowl neckline and dramatic cape-like sleeves, pairing it with an elegant updo, gold earrings adorned with red crystals, and silver open-toe heels.Staying true to that signature red carpet moment, Hathaway later reimagined the look for the recent premiere, opting for a custom sculptural Louis Vuitton gown featuring a strapless sweetheart neckline, a corset-style bodice, and a voluminous flared skirt.In the sequel, Andy returns asRunway’sFeatures Editor, a far cry from the nervous assistant she once was, now stepping in as a professional navigating a fast-changing, digital-first fashion landscape.And much like Andy’s evolution, Hathaway’s real-life journey has been just as striking.From winning an Oscar for her unforgettable performance inLes Misérablesto balancing blockbuster hits and critically acclaimed roles, includingInterstellarandThe Dark Knight Rises, she has firmly cemented her place as one of Hollywood’s most celebrated stars.Most recently, Hathaway has been recognized as a fashion icon, landing major campaigns and collaborations with luxury houses, and was even crownedPeoplemagazine’s 2026 “World’s Most Beautiful Woman.”One fan wrote in admiration of her recent red carpet appearance, “How it possible to anti-age, 20 years later, she looks like the same, flawless.”Another agreed, saying, “She is a vampire,” while a third chimed in, “Did we travel back in time?”Another comment read, “So beautiful, it's impressive how time hasn't passed for her.”

© Photo:Evan Agostini/Getty Images

Nearly two decades ago, Thoms embraced a more youthful aesthetic in a gold satin mini dress paired with matching strappy, bedazzled heels and a shimmery gold clutch.Adding a personal touch to the look, the dress wasn’t from a major fashion house but was instead a custom piece designed by one of her close friends.As Thoms has evolved over the decades, so has her personal style.She returned to the New York premiere of the sequel with a more experimental silhouette, opting for a glossy deep purple midi dress with a baggy bodice and an asymmetrical sleeve design: one full-length sleeve and the other shorter, with a halter neckline.Her character Lily continues to serve as Andy Sachs’ grounded moral compass.Once the outspoken best friend who challenged Andy’s transformation in the original film, Lily now returns as a successful artist, still offering perspective as Sachs re-enters the high-pressure world ofRunwayamid a modern scandal.Beyond the franchise, Thoms has built a steady and impressive career across film, television, and stage.From her breakout role inRentto long-running television success inCold Caseand9-1-1, she has remained a consistent and versatile performer.She has also collaborated with acclaimed filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino onDeath Proofand earned critical recognition, including an Emmy nomination forSend Me: An Original Web Series.

© Photo:Sylvain Gaboury/Getty Images

In the originalTheDevil Wears Prada,Tibor Feldman’s character, Irv Ravitz, was defined by a wardrobe that perfectly mirrored his calculated, corporate power.As the formidable chairman of Elias-Clarke, the fictional publishing conglomerate that ownsRunwaymagazine, Ravitz was consistently seen in tailored suits, crisp dress shirts, and ties, a style choice that reinforced his authority within the competitive fashion world.For the sequel premiere, Feldman took a far bolder approach, stepping out in a custom “icy” silk-wool suit by Maison Tai, adorned with hand-dyed florals and chandelier-crystal embellishments, paired with sleek Helmut Lang shoes.Thestatement-making ensemblemarked a striking departure from his earlier minimalist style.On screen, Ravitz remains just as formidable, returning as a key power player who is navigating the financial strain of a declining print industry, even considering a high-stakes deal that could reshape the magazine’s future.Feldman is widely regarded as a veteran actor, mostly known for portraying authoritative figures.He has appeared in popular series likeOrange Is the New Black, Blue Bloods, andUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.His film credits includeEnchantedandArbitrage, whileKeep the Change, a Tribeca-winning project, has further highlighted his versatility.

© Photo:20th Century Studios

byJastin Mags

in

April 21, 2026

Side-By-Sides That Show The Cast Of ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ 20 Years After The Original Premiere

Nearly two decades afterThe Devil Wears Pradabecame a defining pop-culture moment, its long-awaited sequel,The Devil Wears Prada 2, is ...

Read More

As Russia's attacks continue, Ukrainian musicians see work as resistance and refuge

LONDON -- It was a "sleepless night," said Daria Kolomiec, a Ukrainian cultural activist, performer and DJ based in Kyiv. Explosions were happening around her apartment as she sheltered in the bathroom. Earlier on Wednesday evening she attended a concert in Kyiv by the band DakhTrio.

"Even when the air raid alert started the concert continued," she said on Thursday. "Sitting there I felt like there could be a massive attack, but I just needed to spend time with people."

Air raid sirens echoed in cities across the country overnight into Thursday morning, forecastingdeadly Russian attacksthat have, according to Ukrainian officials, killed at least sixteen and injured more than a hundred others.

Amid that strike andhundredsof similar overnight Russian aerial attacks, new and traditional Ukrainian music has become for many a sort-of counterpoint to the sirens that blare around the country nearly every night, several musicians who work in Ukraine told ABC News.

'Massive' Russian attack on Ukraine kills 16, injures at least 100, Ukrainian officials say

Almost 300 miles away from Kolomiec in Kyiv lies Odesa, Ukraine’s third most populous city, located by the Black Sea. It was also targeted in Thursday’s massive Russian strike, officials said.

Hobart Earle is conductor of the city’s Odesa Philharmonic Orchestra. Throughout the war they have continued to play, even after the orchestra’s concert hall was damaged in January 2025. Three ballistic missiles fired from Russian-occupied Crimea directly hit the nearby Hotel Bristol. The shock shattered the concert hall’s stained-glass windows and the main door was blown off its hinges.

“That door survived the Russian Revolution, the Civil War, the Second World War, and everything Mother Nature had to throw at it, but the force of this missile blast was too much,” Earle said.

The orchestra was set to perform that evening. With less than six hours' notice, Earle moved the concert to the Odesa Conservatory.

“The place was full to the rafters. It was a very symbolic moment because it showed that people really do need music. When times are tough, that is when the arts are needed more by people. Music is transformed by war,” Earle continued.

During Thursday's attacks, the Conservatory's student accommodation was hit by a Russian drone, wounding five, officials said.

Earle’s sentiment was echoed by Kyiv-based electronic musician SI Process, or Stanislav Ivashchenko. He created the track"Kyiv Future"during the winter of 2025 when Russian strikes hit critical energy infrastructure leaving Ukrainians freezing, without electricity or heating.

“I wrote it on the last charge of my laptop, which is why it carries a certain ‘dark-groove of our lives,’” he said. “Creating in such conditions is incredibly difficult, but there’s also a clear sense of how unique this moment is.”

When the war broke out with Russia’s invasion in February 2022, Kolomiec knew she needed to stay connected with friends. In apartments across the city, they have in the years since gathered and played Ukrainian songs both new and old -- “this is how I stay mentally okay.”

Musical events of all kinds, from informal gatherings to electronic music festivals to classical concerts, carry an “important mission,” said Ivashchenko, “to bring people together, to offer a sense of mental return to normal life, and of course, to support our soldiers. Every festival raises funds for aid.”

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But the harsh realities of war are never far as events sometimes are paused during air raid alerts when people move to shelters. There are also many musicians who are fighting on the front line.

Ukraine outshoots Russia in cross-border drone war for 1st time, March data suggests

On the night of the 15th, DakhTrio performed musical arrangements of words by Ukrainian poets. Kolomiec said a setting of a poem by Vasyl Stus felt particularly relevant. Stus died in 1985 in the Russian Perm-36 labour camp, where he had been imprisoned for anti-Soviet agitation and propaganda.

His work focused on Ukrainian identity in the face of Soviet repression: “There is a fight; I’m on the battlefield, / Where all my soldiers are the words I wield,” Stus wrote, according to a version translated by Artem Pulemotov.

“Creating music in Ukrainian was not only discouraged but dangerous” Kolomiec said.

Earle premiered"Up in Flames"by Ukrainian composer Eduard Resatsch in early 2024. These five symphonic songs are set to poetry by Ukrainian poet Lina Kostenko. The fifth song describes Russian President Vladimir Putin as “the Loch Ness of the cold Neva,” Earle said, the Neva being the main river flowing through St. Petersburg.

Earle also recently premiered Resatsch’s"Nadiya,"which translates to "Hope." He will conduct its second performance in Kyiv on April 24. Elements of the piece could draw comparisons to the everyday sounds of living in a warzone -- when asked whether listeners could hear sweeping musical motifs as air raid sirens, Earle agreed.

Some music has been recontextualized by the war. Violinist Stepan Andrushchenko is co-founder of modern folk band ShchukaRyba, he described how traditional Ukrainian folk songs which were once “heard simply as beautiful songs, now sound extremely relevant and almost describe today’s reality directly.”

“There Stands a Steep Mountain” is one such folk tune:

I will go to the steep mountains, I will cry there alone,

I will ask the falcon,I will ask the grey falcon:

Have you seen my beloved?

After the start of the war, Andrushchenko noticed many Ukrainians wanted to reconnect with their roots. Music, particularly folk music, could provide the sense of belonging many were searching for, and an answer to the ever-present questions, he said, including “What are we fighting for? What are we defending?” His band believe “tradition should stay alive,” he said, “We want people not only to listen but to join in.”

Amidst the sounds of war, through music, some measure of hope can be found, artists who spoke with ABC News said. There’s a Ukrainian saying, Earle said, “Hope dies last.”

Even if Russia destroys Ukrainian sovereignty, Kolomiec said, "the songs will stay."

ABC News' Yulia Drozd contributed to this report.

byJastin Mags

in

April 20, 2026

As Russia's attacks continue, Ukrainian musicians see work as resistance and refuge

LONDON -- It was a "sleepless night," said Daria Kolomiec, a Ukrainian cultural activist, performer and DJ based in Kyiv. Exp...

Read More