The ongoing saga between Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers has taken a new twist, as the 41-year-old quarterback has reportedly not assured Pittsburgh he is joining the team.
Rodgers entered the open market for the first time in his legendary career, with him yet to join another franchise after his New York Jets release in March.
The Steelers have two quarterbacks on their roster, Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, currently with no true veteran presence.
Rodgers being noncommittal about his future throws doubt into whether he’ll be Steel City-bound at all, per NFL Network.
Rodgers looked to have plenty of options months ago for where he could possibly land as a free agent, including the Vikings, Giants, and Colts.
Every team that could have needed a short-term answer at quarterback with Rodgers fitting the bill, except the Steelers, made a definitive move to sign another signal caller.
Aaron Rodgers has reportedly not assured the Pittsburgh Steelers he is joining the franchise
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin may be forced to start Mason Rudolph or Will Howard
The Steelers may be in less of a win-now mode than in seasons’ past, with their trade of star wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys as evidence.
Head coach Mike Tomlin may want to develop a younger quarterback like Rudolph instead of a flyer on Rodgers to have postseason success in 2025.
Earlier this week, Rudolph spoke on stage with President Donald Trump, with the Commander in Chief making a bold prediction.
‘I happen to think a really good quarterback is a man named Mason Rudolph,’ Trump said. ‘I think he’s gonna get a big shot. He’s tall, he’s handsome, he’s got a great arm. And I have a feeling he’s gonna be the guy.’
Trump’s pledge to Rudolph comes with Rodgers’ political past, where he is friends with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who was rumored to have considered the quarterback as a running mat during his third-party run for the White House.
Kennedy now serves in Trump’s cabinet, while Rodgers is still waiting for another chance in the NFL.
