Although it appears the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only team courting Aaron Rodgers, the quarterback is reportedly being picky.
In a Wednesday interview with KDKA-FM in Pittsburgh, CBS Sports NFL reporter Aditi Kinkhabwala said Rodgers is more likely to “retire than sign with a team that’s not a Super Bowl contender” and hasn’t provided an update since March 21.
Whether he believes he can win a championship with Pittsburgh remains unclear.
This offseason, the Steelers acquired two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. They also have a stingy defense, which features edge-rusher T.J. Watt, defensive tackle Cameron Heyward and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Pittsburgh’s recent playoff record isn’t impressive, though. The Steelers haven’t won a postseason game since the 2016 season.
Kinkhabwala implied the four-time MVP seemed more interested in signing with the Vikings, who have star wide receiver Justin Jefferson. Minnesota, however, has committed to QB J.J. McCarthy.
Rodgers may still be upset about the Vikings passing on him and unwilling to give Pittsburgh a chance.
The Steelers probably aren’t missing out if Rodgers doesn’t sign with them. The 41-year-old no longer looks like a player who can single-handedly transform a team into a contender.
In 17 starts with the Jets in 2024, he went 5-12, completing a below-average 63% of his passes for 28 touchdown passes and tossing 11 interceptions.
Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson are the only QBs on the Steelers’ active roster. They have a collective 10-10-1 starting record in the regular season.
Don’t be stunned if Pittsburgh targets another passer with pick No. 21 in the 2025 NFL Draft, scheduled April 24-26 in Green Bay. Perhaps Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) or Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart (6-foot-2, 223 pounds) will be available at that slot.
Entering the season with Rudolph, Thompson and a rookie wouldn’t be ideal for the Steelers, but they can’t continue to wait on Rodgers, who doesn’t seem eager to play for the team.
