At least one outlet is suggesting that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers should wait even longer before announcing their much-anticipated union.
Since it has already taken this long, ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio thinks it might be wise for Rodgers to hold off signing until after the NFL schedule is released on May 14. It’s his belief that if Rodgers isn’t officially a Steeler, the league’s schedule makers might be reluctant to give the Steelers the maximum six prime-time games.
If Rodgers becomes a Steeler, Florio thinks that might happen.
“If he does (sign) before the schedule is releasedon May 14, the league will know it’s getting a marquee team and a marquee quarterback for a slew of stand-alone games. If he waits, maybe the schedule won’t have as many prime-time appearances from (checks depth chart) Mason Rudolph,” Florio posted Thursday. “At this point, it makes sense for Rodgers to wait until the schedule is locked and loaded.”
Even though there is a national presumption that this deal will eventually be consummated, Florio says, at this point, they should wait another two weeks or so.
“It’s one thing to assume he’ll be a Steeler. It’s another to know. And if the league knows Rodgers will be a Steeler, the Steelers could have their routine disrupted by multiple Sunday-to-Thursday turnarounds and night games and other kickoff times that deviate from the preferred rhythm of Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.”
Sure. Florio is probably right. But does anyone see the Steelers getting fewer than four prime-time kickoffs anyway? The Steelers draw ratings, even if they are bad. Bubby Brister could come back as the Steelers QB, and they’ll still get four or five stand-alone games.
Actually, come to think of it, I’d pay for Bubby in prime time right about now.
But look at last year. There were 18 teams that played at least four prime-time games. The Steelers were one of them. They had four — then a fifth was added when their regular season finale was played against Cincinnati on a Saturday night. They also had a Saturday afternoon game in Baltimore and the Christmas Day game against the Chiefs.
The Steelers are going to be put in high viewing windows no matter what — Aaron Rodgers or not.
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Granted, as Florio pointed out, the Jets had six prime-time games last year, and they went 5-12. I’ll argue that’s because they are the Jets, not because they played off-schedule games too frequently.
Furthermore, Sunday nights (especially at home) really aren’t all that big of a deal in terms of adjustments anyway.
“Although the league harps on competitive integrity and balance, that goes out the window when it comes to peeling away from the pack those games that will draw the biggest audiences in the best spots,” Florio continued. “An irregular schedule absolutely becomes a factor in a team’s ability to win as many games as it can. It’s one thing for the teams that played deep into the postseason to be expected to have a more difficult schedule the next year, as it relates to when the games will be played. It’s another thing to drop a team into Thursday nights and Monday nights and Sunday nights based simply on the idea that a certain team will draw more than another.”
Is it? I don’t think it’s about the previous year’s success at all. I think the schedule is about drawing eyeballs to television sets. That’s it. And the Steelers do that regardless of who is playing quarterback.
Furthermore, PFT even quoted Rodgers in their story as saying he “loves” being “must watch TV,” and embracing the concept of having so many prime-time games.
The whole Aaron Rodgers situation has been overthought and overwrought for two months. But this schedule angle is taking it to a new extreme.
Sign or don’t sign, Aaron. Let’s get this over with.