Has anybody heard from Aaron Rodgers?
Except for Pat McAfee, that’s.
Does anybody have any thought whether or not Rodgers goes to play in 2025? He hasn’t been back-and-forth a lot as he is been completely absent. However there’s little doubt that he’ll play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Or … ought to I say there’s a bit doubt that he’ll play for the Steelers?
At one level, it appeared like the one one who did not know that Aaron Rodgers was going to play for the Steelers was Aaron Rodgers. Even Russell Wilson appeared fed up with ready on Rodgers. He selected the New York Giants, a a lot much less fascinating touchdown spot, moderately than holding out hope that Rodgers wouldn’t land in Pittsburgh. Wilson most likely thought what all of us thought: that Rodgers to the Steelers was inevitable. It actually appeared that method. It largely nonetheless appears that method.
However proper now, Rodgers continues to be not a Steeler.
Fittingly, Rodgers appears comfy as a free agent.
And on condition that Pittsburgh has no different reliable beginning quarterback on the roster — and with the 2025 NFL Draft quick approaching — you may guess there is a rising sense of unease in that constructing. The Steelers would by no means admit it. As a result of then they’d should admit that Rodgers fooled them.
In any case, we have seen this earlier than.
Rodgers did this to the Jets only a few years in the past. When New York had agreed to phrases on a commerce with the Green Bay Packers, Rodgers held up the transaction. In the meantime, the Jets had been signing free brokers off Rodgers’ want checklist: receivers Allen Lazard and Randall Cobb and tight finish Marcedes Lewis. They had been avoiding all quarterbacks available on the market. They had been continuing as if Rodgers was on their roster even when he completely was not.
Just like the Jets, the Steelers are caught in Rodgers’ purgatory. However, fortunately for Pittsburgh, it is not fairly the identical. The Steelers have not made the error of rebuilding their group in Rodgers’ picture. Their strikes, just like the commerce for receiver DK Metcalf, would profit any quarterback. It is not a choice predicated on having Rodgers.
That is the excellent news. Pittsburgh continues to be constructed to accommodate nearly any quarterback within the NFL. The Steelers proved that final yr, with wins beneath Justin Fields and Wilson — and with radically totally different sport plans for each QBs.
The unhealthy information for the Steelers is that this may not go how everybody expects. Rodgers is erratic. He’s a fragile creature, to place it properly. And he is — if nothing else — mercurial. He might someway persuade the Minnesota Vikings to carry him on. He might additionally retire to Costa Rica to start out “Aaronhuasca: A Darkness Retreat and White Lotus Resort.” At this level, the Steelers should hope that historical past is repeating itself, with Rodgers stalling however signing.
As a result of what occurs if he does retire?
The Steelers have choices. However they don’t seem to be nice — and even good — choices.
Clearly, Pittsburgh had extra veteran selections on the opening of free company when Wilson, Fields, Geno Smith (through commerce), Sam Darnold and even Daniel Jones had been obtainable. If Rodgers falls via, the Steelers may need to discover buying and selling for Falcons QB Kirk Cousins and/or drafting a quarterback in Spherical 1. With Cousins, it most likely would not take a lot in the best way of draft decide compensation — however it’s going to doubtless imply a serious wage cap hit. Pittsburgh is in adequate monetary well being to determine learn how to get Cousins’ bloated contract beneath its $31 million in cap area. However simply because it is doable, it does not imply it is good.
If Rodgers hasn’t made his choice earlier than Day 1 of the draft, Pittsburgh might enter desperation mode. Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders are the cleanest QB prospects on this class, after which there is not a consensus on who’s the most effective of the subsequent tier. That is, partially, as a result of scouts do not feel that is the strongest quarterback class. Everybody expects Ward to go No. 1 to the Titans. However then, if the Steelers are eyeing Sanders, there could possibly be bother. The Giants, who’ve the No. 3 decide, are bringing him in for a go to this week, which has created much more thriller about the place the Colorado QB would possibly land. If he goes within the high three, then Jalen Milroe, Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough could be the subsequent finest choices. However they appear like developmental QBs who would profit from a while as backups.
Would the Steelers be higher off with Shedeur Sanders or Aaron Rodgers?
It is actually messy for Pittsburgh, which does not decide till twenty first general.
Which is why the Steelers would possibly, once more, should circle again to Cousins.
Pittsburgh cannot actually afford to attend for Rodgers as soon as the Titans are on the clock. The Steelers will doubtless should make strikes to safe a starting-caliber signal-caller. After which they simply transfer on with or with out Rodgers.
And, by the best way, that will be OK. It’d really be the most effective factor for Pittsburgh. There is a method Pittsburgh will get out of this case with 10 wins with Cousins or Sanders or one other rookie. It is Mike Tomlin. That is what he does.
Nevertheless it appeared just like the Steelers pushed for Rodgers as a result of they’re bored with solely 10 wins. Pittsburgh wished extra. It wished to be a contender. I do not even consider that Rodgers will/would put them in that place. However that appears to be what the Steelers assume. Apparently, they assume Rodgers is well worth the complications.
Let’s acknowledge probably the most possible final result: Rodgers will announce his choice this week or subsequent. And he is simply ready for the best time to announce — when it’s going to get probably the most consideration. Perhaps he is making an attempt to time it up with the launch of an ayahuasca-infused tequila model. I do not know.
That is what the Steelers can count on from Rodgers: a bunch of nonsense.
And I am sorry to let you know, Pittsburgh, that is only the start.
As I’ve made abundantly clear, he isn’t even on the staff but. Think about what’ll occur if he’s.
Previous to becoming a member of FOX Sports activities as an NFL reporter and columnist, Henry McKenna spent seven years protecting the Patriots for USA TODAY Sports activities Media Group and Boston Globe Media. Comply with him on Twitter at @henrycmckenna.
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