Aaron Rodgers still isn’t a Steeler.
It’s already got a touch of Rodgers’ tenure with the New York Jets about it, where he skipped mandatory minicamp to vacation in Egypt.
If Rodgers had any sense of commitment to the Steelers and to maximizing what’s left of his career, he’d be signed and preparing. He’d be learning offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s playbook (and making radical changes to it.)
It’s a saga that won’t end.
Should the Steelers walk away?
Dan Rooney would have. Chuck Noll would have. Bill Cowher would have.
But these aren’t your daddy’s Steelers. Ironic, considering that’s always been the main goal of the Rooney currently in charge.
Is Rodgers playing the Steelers like San Francisco wideout Brandon Aiyuk did during the previous offseason?
Minnesota GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah says the Vikings want second-year pro J.J. McCarthy to be their starting quarterback but didn’t 100% rule out talking to Rodgers again.
Rodgers’ best option is waiting it out with Minnesota. Seeing if McCarthy stumbles or isn’t all the way back from the knee injury that sidelined him for all of last season. If Minnesota ultimately says no to Rodgers, perhaps another legit contender will lose its quarterback to injury.
Rodgers has zero chance to win a Super Bowl with the Steelers. He’s realized that.
Playing for the New York Jets demonstrated to Rodgers that his current abilities can’t elevate a meh team. The Steelers are a bit better but not comprehensively so.
The Steelers aren’t the Vikings. Minnesota went 14-3 last season.
Retirement seems a better choice for Rodgers than the Steelers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that’s a possibility. Thanks, tips.
Fox’s Colin Cowherd says that Pittsburgh wouldn’t get Rodgers, wouldn’t embrace his quirkiness. It certainly has potential to be a contentious relationship.
The Steelers should start Mason Rudolph, go 4-13 or 5-12, get their long-term quarterback in the 2026 draft and stop accepting 10-7 and no playoff wins as a good season.
Look at Washington’s turnaround: 4-13 in 2023. New GM, new coach, draft quarterback Jayden Daniels, make a series of shrewd roster moves, go 12-5 in 2024, reach the conference final.
The Steelers could do that. All of that. They just have to want to.
I’d rather go 4-13 or 5-12 and build back up to being a legit contender than keep going 9-8 or 10-7 and never win a playoff game.
The desire to bring in Rodgers when it makes no long-term sense and won’t reap enough short-term gain makes me think that maintaining Mike Tomlin’s streak of no losing seasons is far more important than it should be. Because that’s the best Rodgers can do.
This is mind-numbing. It’s boring.
Yet I’m drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
I won’t get burned. The Steelers might.
If Rodgers doesn’t come to Pittsburgh, it’s easy to see the Steelers panic-drafting a quarterback in this year’s first round, maybe Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss. Who ain’t the guy.