Although the Steelers continue to express confidence Aaron Rodgers will eventually become their next starting quarterback, the four-time MVP is moving toward a fourth week as a free agent. Rodgers threw passes to D.K. Metcalf recently, which would represent a good sign for Pittsburgh’s prospects to close this market. But uncertainty remains.
A report late last month indicated Rodgers communicated to the Vikings they were his preferred landing spot, and some in the organization backed a deal. The team’s plan remains to deploy J.J. McCarthy as the starter, and ESPN.com’s Kevin Seifert notes this aim influenced both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones‘ decisions to leave Minnesota. It has not deterred Rodgers just yet.
Kevin O’Connell confirmed Rodgers reached out to him during his free agency, and Seifert indicates the two spoke multiple times this offseason. Relaying those discussions up the chain with the Vikings, O’Connell is still preparing to develop McCarthy into a Week 1 starter this year. Though, the party line in Minnesota has not locked in this status for last year’s No. 10 overall pick.
“Aaron and I have had a relationship for a long time,” O’Connell said this week. “He initially reached out and we were able to have some conversations. We were on the hunt to always improve our football team and put our football team in the best possible chance to win. … He happened to be at a point in time in his career where he was free to have some real dialogue about what his future may look like. And we happened to be one of those teams that he reached out to.”
Rodgers, 41, and O’Connell, 39, did not play together during the latter’s time touring the league attempting to catch on as a backup. O’Connell enjoyed stints with the Patriots, Lions, Jets, Dolphins and Chargers from 2008-12. O’Connell also never coached in Green Bay, so citing a relationship is certainly interesting — especially pertaining to a potential alliance in Minnesota. It might take a while, however, before the Vikings consider circling back.
Minnesota’s minicamp will run from June 10-12. Teams regularly reevaluate rosters between minicamp and training camp, though quarterback additions — especially starter-caliber QBs — are obviously rare. The Vikings do have a history of late-arriving starters, having traded for Sam Bradford — after Teddy Bridgewater‘s severe 2016 knee injury — and signed Brett Favre during training camp. The Steelers, who have met with Rodgers and confirmed their offer (made early in free agency) is still on the table, should not be expected to wait that long for an answer. It will be interesting if Rodgers does not inform the AFC North team of his plans by the draft.
Rodgers has not seen the Steelers increase their offer, though it stands to reason the team might if he holds out longer, and the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora indicates the future first-ballot Hall of Famer may have a hard time adjusting to his new market. The Giants were believed to have offered Rodgers the most money; they eventually pivoted to Russell Wilson on a one-year, $10.5MM deal. Rodgers should not be expected to come close to his Packers or Jets salaries, and while the 20-year veteran is prioritizing fit, it would stand to reason money is a factor here.
The Vikings may also not know if McCarthy is truly ready — after two meniscus surgeries — until he begins to face competition during 11-on-11 settings, at the very least. That would not happen until training camp. That timeline obviously affects the Steelers, even if they have effectively pushed the Giants out of this race. It is worth wondering how big the gap between Rodgers’ views of the Vikings and Steelers are. The bigger the difference in the QB’s opinion of these teams, the longer it would make sense for him to wait.
The Steelers continue to express patience, but if Rodgers does not sign, they will need to either seriously consider Mason Rudolph as a bridge or look into another veteran. Mike Tomlin said his 2023 playoff starter could still serve as a starter, but that is certainly not the organization’s goal. Joe Flacco remains in free agency, and Kirk Cousins is a trade candidate. Pittsburgh continues to do homework on draft prospects, but holding the No. 21 overall pick in a draft not flooded with high-level QB prospects, this reminds of the Kenny Pickett year.
Unless he’s willing to take the Vet Min … I doubt the Vikings would be interested.
Will the drama ever end?
Pick a team already AA RON
Welcome to the Aaron Rodgers Show!
Ha
You know what’s worse than getting Aaron Rodgers as your QB? Having your last option at QB be Aaron Rodgers and NOT getting him. LOL
Steelers need to move on. He’s just not worth the drama.
No effing thanks.
Hey Aaron, they’re just not that into you
Aaron Rodgers is like Hamlet…”to be or not to be”. This guy’s narcissism has no boundaries and he believes that the NFL off-season should always revolve around him and his “diva” attitude.
“Though this be madness, there be method in it”
At this point…has Big Ben kept in shape?
I mean he wasn’t when he played.
Lolll
Ben was so in shape… round is a shape.
This won’t work in that Steelers locker room. They should just cut bait and find a trade. Plenty of younger backups available
“This” Steelers locker room isn’t “that” Steelers locker room anymore. Those days are long gone.
Why don’t this prima donna idiot just go and play on a turnpike
Somebody go Narcan this idiot in his dark room and tell him to pick a freaking team
Maybe Rodgers and favre can make the rounds at various WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR ME LATELY rallies.
Can you make a guy pay you to play for your team? “Hey Aaron, how about 40 million.” “Well, okay, now we’re getting somewhere,” says Arod. “Yeah buddy, we’re going to need a cashier’s check or we’ll take cash, it’s not that we don’t trust your credit, but we have to pay JJ,” says Minnesota.
Pass on this dish!t, move on Steelers!
Dipsh!t