Latest Aaron Rodgers Development May Be Crushing News for Steelers Fans

With Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Daniel Jones, Russell Wilson, and Jameis Winston all signing with new teams since the start of free agency, Aaron Rodgers is the only big-name quarterback left on the market. The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and Minnesota Vikings were believed to be the three front-runners for Rodgers just a few weeks ago, but it now appears to be a one-team race. The Giants signed both Wilson and Winston in the last week, and it now seems more likely they’ll turn their attention to finding a developmental passer in the draft next month. Multiple reports have indicated that any interest in a Rodgers-Vikings marriage was one-sided on Rodgers’ part as Minnesota appears to be fully on-board with handing the keys to the offense over to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, seemingly leaving the Steelers as Rodgers’ only pursuer. And according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rodgers’ decision may not be so cut-and-dry as most think it is. “I think they both need each other right now, and that’s if Aaron wants to play, which I’m not convinced yet that he does,” Schefter told ESPN Milwaukee. “Until I hear him say, ‘I want to play,’ then I can tell you people are asking that question about whether he wants to play. Like, it’s come up – people have said to me, ‘Hey, are you sure he wants to play?’ No, I’m not sure.

“I’m hearing he might not want to play, which, by the way, again, I don’t want to speak for him because I don’t want to get called out, but it shouldn’t be that hard – like, you want to play for the Steelers or you don’t, right? What are we waiting for? I don’t see many free agents who go visit a team for six hours and need to think about something. What’s the question? What’s the issue? They want you…you don’t want them?”

Rodgers had a six-plus hour visit with the Steelers last week, in which he met with general manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and reportedly had discussions with all three that were deeper than just surface-level. But some analysts have speculated the Vikings were the team he’s wanted to play for all along, and if he can’t sign with them, then he may simply retire. If that does happen, it would leave the Steelers in a bind quarterback-wise. They have just two QBs under contract next season – Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson – and if Pittsburgh opts to sign a veteran, it would likely be picking between Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz, and Drew Lock from the scrap pile.

There’s also the possibility the Steelers could use their first-round pick on a developmental QB like Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart or Louisville’s Tyler Shough.