The Aaron Rodgers wait persists in Pittsburgh. Not viewed as being the clubhouse leaders for the future Hall of Fame quarterback, the Giants took themselves out of the running this week by signing Russell Wilson. Letting Wilson walk without showing much offseason interest, the Steelers have met with Rodgers and continue to hope he accepts their offer.
Pittsburgh is not believed to have raised its offer since submitting it near the beginning of free agency, and New York leaving this derby may not convince the AFC North club to update it. That said, SI.com’s Albert Breer notes the 41-year-old passer is viewed as being more focused on a potential fit than additional money he can add to his career earnings.
Considering Rodgers has made more than $380MM in his career, not making money the lead driver here makes sense. On that note, Bleacher Report’s James Palmer adds (h/t Steelers Depot’s Troy Montgomery) some in the Steelers’ building are wondering whether a Rodgers addition would mean overhauling Pittsburgh’s offense to suit the veteran or if the 20-year QB would assimilate into Arthur Smith‘s scheme.
This could bring be a bit of give and take, though it should be noted the Buccaneers and Broncos eventually tailored their schemes to suit Tom Brady and Peyton Manning‘s respective skillsets. However, Rodgers’ attempt to follow his more accomplished peers’ lead by thriving after a late-career relocation did not go well after the Jets imported the QB’s preferred scheme.
Smith and Wilson clashed during the latter’s lone Pittsburgh season, and Rodgers certainly has a reputation as a demanding presence. But Rodgers is also believed to be seeking a Packers-like environment, per Breer, after his Jets partnership went south. The Steelers use a similar contract blueprint to the Packers’ and carry an established culture, one currently fostered by the likes of Cameron Heyward, T.J. Watt and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Those defenders’ primes have hit a wall thanks largely to shaky quarterback play. Although Rodgers’ shtick may not be for everyone, the Steelers are willing to take a chance here due to the shortcomings they have seen at QB this decade.
As for where this stands, Rodgers has still not given any indication regarding when he will decide. He is believed to have told the Vikings they would be his preference. Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah did not completely rule out Rodgers, but the team is pausing a potential pursuit — despite some support in the building for one — to give J.J. McCarthy free rein during the offseason program. Unless Rodgers wants to take a Brett Favre-like approach and wait for a Vikings fit to emerge this summer, he will need to let the Steelers know on a decision soon. The team is doing homework on QBs in the draft, preparing to host Jaxson Dart on a “30” visit in April.
Confirming the team is doing plenty of homework on this QB draft class, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said during a SportsCenter appearance the Steelers are nevertheless optimistic on Rodgers. This reminds of a weekend report that viewed a Rodgers-Steelers union as likely.
More notably, Fowler indicates several around the league’s QB market assume the Steelers probably received a degree of assurance that Rodgers will commit to Pittsburgh at some point. With Wilson believed to have remained interested in a second Steelers contract, the team standing down and letting him walk could well point to confidence Rodgers will sign eventually.
The draft may not provide a true deadline, but the Steelers would obviously prefer to know if they have a surefire 2025 starter before potentially making a plan to acquire an heir apparent. If Rodgers opts to retire or informs the Steelers he will wait on the Vikings, the team would be in a tough spot. With Wilson gone, Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz and Ryan Tannehill — the latter having not played in 2024 — are the most notable bridge options available in free agency. Kirk Cousins would be an option after the draft, as the Falcons QB will wait to see how teams operate there before waiving his no-trade clause, but he would appeal to the Browns (and ex-boss Kevin Stefanski) as well.
Let us know when he signs.
Which I hope is never. I hope the music stops after the draft and he’s left without a chair. Such a prima dona
It’s not about the prima Donna talk that should concern Steeler fans, a shadow of its former self this franchise is a debacle. Rodgers is a microscopic and glaring example of why I say,who cares about the Steelers.
After the hippie tent, and then after OTAs and training camp are done?
But he is very committed to football.
The whole “adjusting” to Rodgers thing has worn thin. First it’s the scheme, then he wants a couple of his guys, then it’s new coaches. He’s a pant load.
Trudging through this article just makes me pine for the Bill Cowher era even more. The Steeler culture for winning it all was more powerful back then.
Yea I agree..tomlin and clueless art rooney have made the steelers the laughing stock of the league. Tomlinson has too much power and rooney is in a coma. Time for tomlin to move on. Rodgers is s cancer,a prima Donna and is cooked. Ride out the year with Rudolph. And draft the future qb this year or next. Problem is that tomlin cannot develooe a young qb. His ego is too big.
Agree they have been rudderless but “laughing stock of the league” is currently occupied by the Giants.
Wow, both of Kate and Rooney Mara’s family franchises are the two biggest jokes in the league. Interesting.
I’ll throw in Noll, who would’ve told Rooney that Rodgers “needs to get on with his life’s work” by now.
This is the stuff soap operas are made of
Wondering if the Steelers are slow playing this so they can still max out their comp picks for next season. They could get pay this till April 28
Rodgers does not affect comp picks because he was under contract and cut by the Jets, he was not a free agent.
Great info
Clueless rooney makes Bob Nutting look like he’s not so cheap.
Worst take ever.
Steelers always pay up to the cap
They just paid the heck out of DKM and almost never let anyone walk in their prime
Couldn’t agree more, worse take ever
You’re alluding to Nutting overseeing winning records, Goku the unknowledgeable. Don’t let the overreaction trip you out the door.
Even so, it’s interesting to see the difference in how the Rooneys approach things. I have a hard time believing Dan would’ve put up with this baloney
Dan or Art Sr. would never, ever have allowed this 3-ring circus to happen. Ever.
Yes George I agree. I can imagine Dan Rooney rolling over in his grave.
Just let the prima donna retire. He’s a cancer in the clubhouse.
Actually your writing skills are atrocious. Don’t blame the reader for failure to understand that comment.
I didn’t say Rooney was cheap…I said clueless. Reading comprehension does wonders for people.
The Steelers aren’t cheap by any means. Maybe I should have stated it that clueless Rooney makes nutting look smart.
Oh I thought cheap referred to money in 100% of cases.
Sorry for the confusion
No problem my fault because as someone stated “my writing skills are atrocious”.
I guess some posters just have to talk or write over others.
You’re fine.
But F Bob nutting
Let’s not get crazy here.
This cosmo person is a tool. Worst takes in the history of ever.
Wow you are so much a troll…big poison LMFAO
Explain to me why you think I’m a tool?
Maybe he’ll go to the 49ers and they’ll pass on a big $$ contract to Brock Purdy. In a year they can blow the whole thing up and start over.
Totally agree niners should trade Purdy sign Rodgers restock the cupboard with picks.
I’d be extremely happy with the Steelers giving 9ers pick 21 for Purdy
No question about it I’d be overjoyed
blah blah blah … “no new developments” … blah blah blah
Modifying the offense to fit his skill set is not necessarily the same as modifying the offense to fit what a qb wants. The Steelers should try to get a clear agreement on this issue before signing Rodgers, or any qb for that matter
Rogers needs to ride off into the sunset and join McAfee and gang for their look at me show.
Steelers are better off with Mason as QB1. Play this season out! Give Tomlin his first losing season and go Draft Manning next year!! simple as that!
I’m fine with either outcome
I’m intrigued by what Rodgers can do. I think he’s an upgrade over what the Steelers have had since Ben left
But it’s also just a 1 year thing, and I don’t mind Mason either. I think he can be OK with a full camp as “the guy”
Either way this team gets between 6-10 wins, but I like Rodgers more in a playoff game
I want the Steelers to do something audacious. I don’t care. Trade up in the draft. Pay the price, whatever it is. Grab Shadeur. Let him work with these wideouts.
Get off this continual merry go round of retread QBs.
It can’t be any worse than the Pickett debacle.
Excite the fan base.
Sheesh. These last few years have been exhausting
Shedeur is kinda underwhelming.
If they’re gonna take a QB in this class, I’d actually prefer they trade back and grab Dart, Milroe, Ewers .. not a lot of separation between their potentials and Sanders.
Sorry Goku. Respectfully disagree. I spend a great deal of time—too much time—watching the kids
Shadeur is a superior athlete.
A good pocket passer
Your comments about Dart, Milroe, Ewers are simply not true. They’re not the athletes Sanders is. And I simply believe he’s the better QB
I like the Louisville kid but his injuries give me great pause. I like the Ohio State kid but don’t envision him as a starter. Same with the Syracuse kid.
I’ll grant you this, Ward and all these guys aren’t prototypical top 10 picks and if the QB was a bit thicker, most would last until day 2 or 3.
Let me qualify that. Perhaps Milroe is a comparable athlete. But he’s so wildly inconsistent with his reads, throws, decisions.
Milroe is becoming my favorite surprisingly.
Coach him up, he’s an incredible athlete.
I don’t think Sheduer stands out in any category , and isn’t necessarily NFL-fast. He’ll be more of a mobile QB than a scrambler
I think hes Marcus Marriota , good backup
Agree to disagree. Time will tell
If only it were.
Dump this cancerous clown and sign anybody else. The only things that old man brings to the table are false hopes and head aches.
I’d rather them sign flacco or even Carson Wentz for a year. Anybody but the clown
Pat mcafee is hosting his show from Pittsburgh on april 9th…hmm
Never trading stars to get bad enough to get a high pick for a QB compounded with signing old stars to make your picks even worse is exactly how you get one elite QB each century.
Whatever happens, they will be fine. Every Team in the League has to adjust at not having a dominate QB at some point in time.
Being linked to the Giants. Pining for the Vikings. Dropping that retirement could be an option. Not signing yet.
All of these moves could simply be ploys to get more money from PGH, if true that they have not budged from their initial offer.
If Rodgers has to cave and sign for the initial offer, the humiliation will scar his narcissistic personality disorder and he will resent the Steelers forever.
That they are trying to win this battle shows they don’t understand who or what they are dealing with, at all.
Either offer the mentally ill man a raise to placate his mental illness or don’t sign the mentally ill man.
Ya know, it’s Tomlin’s mental state I wonder about with this ongoing drama. Does he really believe that this team is a QB away from being a true contender? Didn’t the Russ experiment teach him anything?
Apparently however, it is his thinking. How else can one explain being played by a way-past-his-prime prima donna?
There are so many needs here, I just don’t get the idea of kicking the can down the road in searching for a young franchise QB for another year or two.
I always prefer to take a simple approach. That’s just me. In the case of the Steelers, you either want Rodgers or you don’t. Right? If you think he can be the player to elevate the team then sign him. If not, then simply move on. The Steelers are a professional sports team. The organization should have a good idea what Rodgers can do at this stage of his career. Why this continues to drag on is ridiculous.
Enough is enough. It’s tomlin who’s holding onto the hope of signing Rodgers. Rodgers is done. And tomlin is getting stale. 18 years is too long as a NFL coach. Even the great ones knew when to take time off. Oh but wait, the national media marvels at his never having a losing year. But 9-8 or 10-7 is sort of like the normal in the NFL. To Pittsburgh fans, it’s a useless stat. Only thing a 9-8 season gets you is a lower draft pick.
I hate saying this, but maybe the steelers should entertain the thought of trading Watt. I know he’s great. But he’s getting older and us sometimes injury prone. I think they could get a 1st and 2nd pick or him. This way they could get dart and a rb in the 1st round. Then they ho for a defensive lineman or 2.
I’m not an NFL owner or an NFL GM, but PFR and ESPN, both, continue to bang the drum for this guy; pondering his “fit” on every QB-needy team. I’ll say it again – I don’t see it.
Though he’s established the career numbers to be THE GUY, wherever he goes, one thing Aaron Rodgers is not is a “Put me in coach, I’m just here to do anything I’m told, and help this team win” kind of player. Aaron Rodgers is an “All eyes on me” guy, and anyone who would deny this is feigning blindness to a 27′ tall flashing neon sign.
Though we’re told to ignore what must surely be age and wear and tear-related declines in his game, and, also, a seeming propensity to injury,”he could be another Tom Brady”, or “another Peyton Manning”, and yes, to be fair, Brady and Manning OUTPERFORMED any reasonable expectations as to their singular ability to raise the play of an entire team.
But for every Tom Brady and every Peyton Manning, there are Joe Montanas, Brett Favres, Ken Stablers, Kurt Warners, Randall Cunninghams and Boomer Esiasons, who finished our their careers playing competent football, far short of their Glory Days. There is no particular reason, other than Aaron Rodgers’ own king-sized ego, to ASSUME that he’ll be a Brady with his next team, and not an Esiason or a Flacco.
Anointing a 41-year old quarterback, any 41-year old quarterback as the New Guy, comes with obvious drawbacks, not the least of which is that such a move places a hold – a total moratorium, really, on the near and mid-term future of the franchise. With the very best of good fortune, even Reinvigorated Superstar Aaron Rodgers has two years of starting QB days in front of him, and throwing in with Rodgers buys you a year or two of something…. before what?
Of the many potential “fits” mentioned for Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers, of all teams, have one of the most uncertain QB futures; there is just no guy-in-waiting. Even if you believe that Aaron Rodgers is the Yoda-like QB whisperer (I don’t), who can take a young Jedi under his wing, and teach him to appreciate and harness The Force, the Steelers’ Jedi Academy cupboard is bare. The argument can’t even be made that Aaron Rodgers has a budding young superstar to mentor.
As this article plainly acknowledges, Aaron Rodgers needs an Aaron Rodgers offensive system – he needs a supporting cast of teammates who play the Aaron Rodgers Way, and are well suited to run Aaron Rodgers Plays – and remaking the Steelers’ personnel and playbook into the Aaron Rodgers Plan seems a foolish thing to do for a player who is going to give you maybe a year or two, EVEN IF that turns out to be an age-defying level of success. i can’t think of many better examples of “Sacrifice the future, for a possible win today.”
Aaron Rodgers is a Look At Me Guy – I propose that other players are cool with that – as long as the team is winning. Given any other outcome, even “good, but not quite good enough”, I think the whole locker room wants “Look At Me” to STFU. Rodgers has been known to call out teammates for his own personal dissatisfaction in their efforts, he has called out coaching gameplans, he has called out roster building – Rodgers is the classic “Don’t look at me” guy.
Why do these articles keep saying “Aaron Rodgers might defy the expectations of his advanced age and the consistent pattern of injuries and a decline in performance, to provide a surprisingly good season or two for Team X, so they should seriously consider signing him immediately, because, you never know?
The articles could also say Why should any team want to invite the Aaron Rodgers Circus to set up in the franchise parking lot, on the always possible chance that Old Creaky Aaron Rodgers is Tom Brady, Part II?
I am so glad my team has a franchise QB because this Rodgers drama is a joke. Rodgers feels he can hold teams hostage while he plays one team against another. This future Hall of Fame QB is an arrogant ego maniac who still thinks he skill set is better than any QB in the league. Well he is wrong, he is now a mediocre QB who is past his prime. The Steelers need to draft a QB and go in a new direction instead of relying on has been QB’s.
Sabres…I agree with you, the Steelers are being held hostage. But they are doing it to themselves. Rodgers is arrogant. But the sports media enables him to be arrogant and abrasive. Quit covering this nonsense and watch how fast he signs or retires.
And you are right about the Steelers needing to draft a franchise QB. Problem is, that the local sports media and Tomlin will ruin the kid before season 1 is over. They ruined Rudolph and chased Pickett out of town