The Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest of the NFL continue to wait for a decision from Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old veteran appears to be deciding whether to join the Steelers or retire. Many reports have also come out about Rodgers potentially hoping the Minnesota Vikings come back into the mix. As of now, there are no signs the Vikings are willing to sign Rodgers as they have expressed their confidence in quarterback JJ McCarthy.
AP Photo / Pamela Smith
Former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers ahead of a game with New York in 2023.
At this point in free agency, neither Rodgers nor the Steelers have many options remaining. When Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both decided to leave Pittsburgh this offseason, it left the Steelers with slim options: Rodgers or the draft.
The Steelers will probably take a quarterback in the draft regardless of Rodgers' decision. but what round they decide to take a quarterback will depend on Rodgers' commitment. Without a commitment from Rodgers, it could put pressure on the Steelers to select a quarterback like Jaxson Dart in round one.
However, if Rodgers has committed to the Steelers by draft day, the front office might not be as inclined to select a quarterback so high. It could wait until the later rounds and select someone like Jalen Milroe or Will Howard on day two.
Although the Steelers may draft a quarterback, they remain confident Rodgers will sign with the organization. A few weeks ago, Rodgers and the Steelers met in Pittsburgh at the Steelers' facilities for about six hours.
Even though a deal was not announced prior to Rodgers' departure from Pittsburgh, there is room to believe there is some sort of agreement from both sides. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler made an appearance Sunday on SportsCenter and advised why he believes the Steelers are still hopeful in Rodgers' signing.
"I'm told from the Steelers they do remain optimistic, but nothing has changed from when Art Rooney, team president, addressed the media at the owners meetings on Tuesday," Fowler said. "They feel good about this shaking out that Rodgers will be a Pittsburgh Steeler. Have not got definitive word, but they're willing to wait a little while longer... So, it's Steelers, retirement or bust."
As the Rodgers situation continues to unfold, all the Steelers can do is remain optimistic because it seems as if Rodgers only has two choices. He either retires or plays for the Steelers since it does not seem like the Vikings are willing to have McCarthy act as a backup in 2025.
Karl Roser / Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers' defensive line attacks New York Jets' Aaron Rodgers during a regular season game in 2024.
If the Vikings are out of the conversation, then what is it that could be taking Rodgers so long to decide? Is Rodgers trying to avoid going down the route of Tom Brady and Brett Favre, who both came out of retirement to continue living out their passions?
It can be difficult for guys like Rodgers to walk away from the game because it's something they've done for the last 20-plus years of their lives. Especially for quarterbacks, because they don't necessarily have to take a lot of punishment week in and week out during an NFL season.
So maybe Rodgers is carefully contemplating whether he feels he has more in the tank or if it is truly time to hang up his cleats. But how long will the Steelers wait for him to come to a conclusion?
Rodgers Makes The Steelers A Serious Contender
The Steelers have made moves this offseason that could help them become legitimate contenders in the AFC. A team does not trade away draft picks for a top wide receiver like DK Metcalf if it is not trying to compete for a Super Bowl. Rodgers, having weapons likes Metcalf and George Pickens, will have every secondary in the league frightened.
Barry Reeger / Imagn Images
Steelers' George Pickens goes for a one-handed catch against the Jets.
Another reason why it's not unfathomable to believe an aging Rodgers could lead the Steelers back to the mountain top is because we've seen it before with other 40-year-old quarterbacks. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were a quarterback away from being a title contender, and then they brought in Brady and won the Super Bowl.
It was the same scenario for the Vikings. They were a quarterback away and brought in Favre, who helped lead them to an NFC Championship game. So, who's to say that Rodgers, still playing at a high level, cannot help the Steelers return the Lombardi Trophy to the Steel City?
#SteelerNation
