Bannon made a name for himself as a political titan. And now he’s going even further.
Because Steve Bannon broke back into the spotlight with one endorsement.
Bannon Wants Aaron Rodgers to Trade the Gridiron for the Senate — And Take Down Fetterman
Steve Bannon has never been shy about unconventional political ideas, but his latest suggestion still turns heads: send Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers to Washington to unseat Sen. John Fetterman.
An Ultimatum for Pennsylvania’s Junior Senator
Bannon laid out the challenge on his “War Room” program, framing it as a dare Fetterman couldn’t easily dodge: switch to the GOP now, or get ready to face Rodgers on the ballot.
“Hey, Fetterman, you know you’d better quit playing footsie. If you want to come over and be a Republican, ok. Do it … But Aaron Rodgers will take you down in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” Bannon said.
It’s not an idle jab. Fetterman has spent much of his first term breaking from his own party — on immigration and a handful of other issues — a pattern that has made him something of an outlier within the Democratic caucus and, in Bannon’s telling, ripe for a party switch or a serious challenge.
A Backhanded Compliment for Senate Republican Leadership
Bannon then turned his attention to his own side of the aisle, arguing Rodgers wouldn’t just be an upgrade over Fetterman — he’d outclass Senate Majority Leader John Thune too, delivered with characteristically colorful language.
“What do you think we would do in the United States Senate if we had a guy like Aaron Rodgers and not John Thune?” Bannon asked. “John Thune’s a pencil-necked p-ssy. Aaron Rodgers is a man.”
Why Rodgers, Of All People?
On paper, the pitch isn’t as far-fetched as it might sound. Rodgers, who grew up in California, put down roots near Pittsburgh after signing with the Steelers in 2025, buying a mansion outside the city. The four-time NFL MVP — trailing only Peyton Manning in career MVP honors — signed on for one more season after that, though he’s said 2026 will be his last on the field.
Off the field, Rodgers has cultivated real political capital. He’s built a close relationship with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who considered him as a potential running mate during his 2024 presidential run. Rodgers also drew national attention for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine and has since aligned himself with the “Make America Healthy Again” movement — giving him a built-in political brand that Bannon and other conservative allies clearly see as ready-made for a Senate run.
