APRIL 1: When speaking at the league meetings on Tuesday, Steelers owner Art Rooney II confirmed (via Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) “signs are pointing in that direction” with respect to a Rodgers deal being worked out. He added the team is still willing to wait for Rodgers at this point, although that will not be the case forever (h/t Pryor).
MARCH 31: We may not be any closer to Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh, but all signs continue to point to the quarterback joining the Steelers. While speaking with reporters today, coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that he’s remained in contact with Rodgers since their in-person meeting on March 21 (via Mark Maske of The Washington Post).
[RELATED: Steelers Have No Timeline For Aaron Rodgers Deal]
While Tomlin acknowledged that he didn’t have any new updates on the public flirtation between the two sides, he did reiterate that there isn’t any urgency for a resolution. Following reports from yesterday that training camp would represent the “line of demarcation” for the organization, Tomlin said he’s “really comfortable with being unsettled this time of year” (via Maske).
Tomlin also talked about his meeting with Rodgers, noting that he was happy to speak with a long-time competitor.
“There’s no substitute for intimacy and spending time together,” Tomlin said (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). “[G]etting to know one another in a non-competitive environment.”
As Rodgers considers his next move, Tomlin isn’t the only Steelers employee he’s been talking to. According to Garafolo, the QB had a throwing session with recent acquisition D.K. Metcalf. Garafolo suggests this could simply be a part of Rodgers’ process as he evaluates the potential landing spot, but it could also be the determining factor before the player puts pen to paper.
Considering the Steelers’ lack of free agent options and Rodgers’ dearth of remaining suitors, the two sides seem to be a natural pairing. While the assumption is that they’ll eventually link up, the organization seems to be proactively planting the seeds in case a contract doesn’t come to fruition. While speaking with reporters today, Tomlin said the Steelers would be comfortable heading into next season with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback.
“That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”
Of course, the Steelers got a look at Rudolph as a starter during his first stint in Pittsburgh, as the former third-round pick went 8-4-1 as a starter between 2019 and 2023. Rudolph didn’t fare nearly as well during his 2024 stay in Tennessee (1-4 as a starter), but the Steelers were still confident enough in his ability to bring him back on a two-year deal. Skylar Thompson is the only other QB currently on the Steelers roster.
He’s waiting to see if they take a QB day 1, I’m willing to bet haha
Absolutely.
And then the rest is self written.
Kirk Cousins 2025 edition
@sentinelatl. He could get burned because Atlanta will probably make cousins available after the draft. He was throwing to Metcalf maybe it’s done, but if Steelers back out he’s screwed.
@rexhudler86–so much reports & speculation. Kirk wants to start and is running out of viable options and zero leverage. Who is escoially after the draft willing to sign up for Kirk and his contract now of all times?
@sentinelATL. Cleveland might a option. Pretty much the only one. Unless he waits for a injury mid-season.
@rex-agreed. But if you’re Cleveland with a second overall pick and you take a QB would you take Kirk?
Depends. Nothing wrong with having a rookie QB ride the bench for a season. Love and Mahomes did. Neither of the top 2 QB prospects are the cant miss types.
And the Steelers need to sign him before the draft for this exact reason. So we know what the rest of the roster needs are
Telepathically.
tomlin is the most overrated coach in the nfl. Him wanting to bring in a 41 year old drama queen goes down as a typical tomlin move. tomlin hired an offensive coordinator a few years ago, who probably will go down as one of the worst assistant hires in recent years. It amazees me how far this organization has fallen
If you’re not happy you should follow the Browns.
Highest win percentage of any Steelers coach ever. So I guess what you’re saying is the Steelers have always been overrated
I am so tired of hearing about Tomlins record, his non-losing seasons. He hasn’t been to the super bowl since 2011. He’s had some of the best offensive weapons, Ben, Brown, etc and he couldn’t win. He is overrated and he needs to ,as THE EMPEROR,would say, get on with your life’s work.
Best coach in the teams history is overrated? Lol
Best coach in teams history..there was only one great coach.. Charles Henry Noll. I’m guessing you weren’t old enough to see the 70s Steelers. Or maybe you were hanging out with Mike the pillow guy…white powder.
Such a great coach being outpaced by an overrated bum during an era that’s harder to win.
Fallen? Let’s see a new HC/GM tear down the roster and tank to get a better draft pick. Watch the Steelers get blown out over and over again and you’ll be praying for Tomlin to come back. You act like the Steelers are the 2017 Browns or the 2008 Lions. Year in and year out you have a competitive team that doesn’t make stupid mistakes and plays hard.
Oh they so much deserve each other. Still laughing.
I am just not a fan of again kicking the can down the road for another year where getting a young franchise QB is concerned. It’s only been going on since Ben was here
But just get it over with already
He was throwing with DK at UCLA yesterday. Wonderful. Tomlin is talking about how he loves the DK-Pickens tandem. Great. One big happy family. What could possibly go wrong?
(I still hope they draft at QB at some point in a month)
I agree with you George, I’m hoping they draft Dart.
I think I saw all of Shadeur’s games this past year. Hope he falls to them, but I doubt it. Dart. Schough. They have to address this annual problem sooner or later
Definition of narcissist: Aaron Rodgers
Tomlin loves this guy like Cris Collinsworth spewing for Mahomes.
Tomlin’s only contact should be, “Aaron, we’re singing a QB this week. Is it going to be you or someone else?”. You’re the coach. He’s the player. Take fu**ing control.
Put the pipe down and walk away from Rodgers before he takes the offer
Its wild how upset people are that this guy hasn’t signed a contract yet. Its the offseason, guys are enjoying the time off. Aaron is either going to retire or play for the Steelers next season, my guess is the latter. Its pretty easy to see that PIT and Rodgers need each other this season. PIT has no better option at QB and Rodgers has no other team willing to sign him.
I’ve not followed the steelers losses and adds in free agency…any chance they are waiting post June 1 due to comp picks.
He was cut so comps picks don’t come into play when they sign him.
Comp picks are very much in play.
Draft. Per Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports
“We keep asking, what the hell is going on with Aaron Rodgers? Why is this taking so long? The Pittsburgh Steelers also have a comp-pick situation that will be affected the second they sign Aaron Rodgers. The Steelers have comp picks in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth rounds. They have four comp picks sitting on the table…These are all picks that are potentially impacted the second you sign Aaron Rodgers prior to the Monday after the NFL Draft.”
Rodgers most likely will not sign until after the draft.
I might be wrong( It happens) But I thought once the new league year started all business starts anew. Once compensatory picks are assigned they don’t get ” Taken Back” Do they? I think it might factor into NEXT YEARS business model rather than last years which is what the picks were based on right? I’ve never heard of those picks being taken away. But I might be wrong. Rare as it is. LOL
Oddly Comp picks can be redone after the initial reveal, doesn’t happen all the time but also not something that is uncommon.
Not that I doubt your word but I’ve never heard of it. Does anybody know of an instance where this happened? I’m 68 and I’ve never heard of it. Not that I pay that much attention in the off season usually. But thanks for the comeback DeVious.
I’m skeptical compensatory picks are involved. Rodgers was cut, so he shouldn’t count. Even if he did, it would relate to 2026 Draft not this year’s.
Wild how far the Steeler organization has fallen. Crawling on hands and knees for old, tired, washed up Erin Rogers to be the Hail Mary savior. Even after he made it clear he isn’t actually interested. A distant second to the Vikings. Yikes.
He seems to crave the public limelight and he’s not ready to leave it. So looking for the more cozy landing spot to keep in the public eye is his priority here? Home games played indoors in Minny over outdoors in Pitt is more attractive to stay relevant.
Yes he loves the limelight like his buddy Cheetos Pres does.
Erin? What are you, five?
Next article title: Rodgers still has Mike Tomlin’s phone number
They should trade for Joe Milton the guy has a cannon of a arm so imagine him with Pickens and DK who can stretch the field
Clipboard holder, nothing more
Same for Aaron. He’s cooked.
Did Tomlin take ownership of the Steelers???? Seems like he’s in charge. He should then trade himself to the Browns for Kenny Pickett.
Just a random thought in AS THE STOMACH TURNS..THE RODGERS SAGA
I’d rather have Cousins than Aaron at this point in time.
I would actually rather have neither. But if forced, I take Rodgers. I saw enough of Cousins. He’s a statue back there
You know Rogers is going to build this up and right before training camp he’s going to bail and leave the Steelers standing there looking stupid. I think he believes he is building up the tension and keeping his name in the headlines. Right now it’s more a lack of interest from me. Either sign or don’t, I don’t care. The days when he could duck a defensive end, roll out and throw a 50 yard bomb are long past. He’s good at the 10-15 yard dink pass, but then so are a lot of guys. Aaron, sign the paper or don’t, but don’t be a jack*** and keep everyone waiting.
I’m inclined to believe what someone said above. McAfee has a sold out show here next Wednesday. These guys love hype.
Must be something in the water in Green Bay. Brett Favre 2.0.
are they using a cup and string or paw patrol walkie talkies?
So sad
Sending kissy face emojis and hearts back and forth is NOT remaining in contact!! What’s next? Promise rings??
‘Round and ‘Round they go. Maybe Mike and Aaron are discussing what cave and Shaman to visit on Aaron’s next darkness retreat. Maybe he invites Mike.
The Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind on a standing contract offer, and the longer he holds off on a decision, the more likely Pittsburgh is to consider making a move for a different QB.
Pittsburgh’s simplest path is selecting a player at No. 21 overall in April’s NFL draft, but who will be available there and what kind of value those players will represent make the selection a rookie QB both risky and hard to predict. However, the Steelers could use their first-rounder as part of a trade for a young signal-caller who is already in the league and needs a fresh start with a more successful organization.
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Enter Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts, the No. 4 overall pick in 2022. The Colts benched Richardson in favor of 39-year-old Joe Flacco for a stretch last season before eventually elevating him back into the starting lineup. Flacco is a free agent now, but former New York Giants starter Daniel Jones is in Indianapolis on a one-year deal and will compete with Richardson for the starting job.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images
If Jones wins the spot, there is a good chance Richardson’s future with the Colts is over, and the team could put him on the trade block ahead of Week 1. Bill Barnwell of ESPN imagined a trade scenario in which that happens, and the Steelers flip the No. 21 pick to Indianapolis as part of a play for the dual-threat QB who turns 23 years old ahead of next season.
“I like the fit for Richardson in the Steelers’ offense. His arm strength would be a terrifying combination with DK Metcalf and George Pickens,” Barnwell wrote on Monday, March 31. “Coordinator Arthur Smith has incorporated quarterback run concepts in each of his stops, although he would likely need to lean into those concepts further with Richardson under center. He might not be an immediate starter if the Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers, but he could take a much-needed redshirt year and then start in 2026.”
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Pittsburgh would also get the Colts’ second-round pick (No. 45) in the deal, but would have to include a conditional selection in the 2027 draft, per Barnwell’s proposal. Richardson is entering the third year of his $34 million rookie deal in 2025, which includes a fifth-year team option in
Arron Rogers just signed two minutes ago with the Bears APRIL FOOLS WE DONT WANT THAT DRAMA QUEEN IN CHICAGO