Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t agreed to play a second season with the Steelers.
What’s the holdup?
Ex-Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch suspects it’s about money. ESPN’s Adam Schefter says that’s not the case.
The stooge media says Rodgers’ return is a lock. That the Steelers know with certainty when Rodgers will sign and report.
But what’s the benefit from concealing that?
If Rodgers wants to not participate until training camp, sign him and say that. That, at 42, Rodgers doesn’t need the ancillary work. It wouldn’t help him.
It might help Roman Wilson, though.
Maybe working with Rodgers at OTAs and mini-camp would keep the third-year wideout from being a healthy scratch in favor of an imported Rodgers crony (like Marquez Valdes-Scantling last year).
It’s a team sport. Cohesion with teammates helps, even among the old and infirm. Whether they have four MVP awards or not.
Giving a signed Rodgers an excused absence from pre-training camp activities would make the Steelers appear weak.
But not half as weak as the organization looks for letting Rodgers drag this out for a second straight year. Augmented by owner Art Rooney II repeatedly adjusting the timetable like he’s placating a young child on a long car trip:
“Just a little bit longer.”
“Just a little bit longer.”
“Just a little bit longer.”
To be fair, Rooney can handle things. He’s smart.
New coach Mike McCarthy’s verbiage is cringe-y: “He knows how we feel about him and we know how he feels about us.” Like they’re going to Bishop Boyle High School’s prom.
Rooney and his organization are desperate to win a postseason game after nine years not.
It’s easy to understand why they would wait indefinitely for an elderly quarterback who won’t take a hit to make plays, who isn’t among the NFL’s best 20 QBs and who wrapped up last season’s playoff loss by throwing a pick-six.
OK, so maybe it’s not easy to understand.
But perhaps it’s more tolerable than hyping a sixth-round pick who has a minuscule chance to be an NFL starter but is somehow already a folk hero.
Why would Rodgers drag this out again?
Because he’s an attention junkie.
His prolonged indecision is somewhat upstaging the draft’s presence in Pittsburgh.
Rodgers is good at this.
What could possibly change to influence Rodgers’ decision now, or since the end of the season? It’s been three months. If Rodgers’ body isn’t healed, it won’t be. If Rodgers’ mind isn’t right, it won’t be.
No matter what Rodgers decides, the Steelers’ approach at quarterback means they won’t have anything definite at the position for 2027 when the 2026 season concludes. Same as it ever was since Ben Roethlisberger retired.
Unless the Steelers draft Alabama’s Ty Simpson in Thursday’s first round. Then they figure to be even worse off. (That could happen. Rooney wants stability at quarterback, a line of succession. Like with Kenny Pickett.)
The Steelers told Roethlisberger, Troy Polamalu and Hines Ward they couldn’t play anymore.
The Steelers let Rod Woodson walk.
The Steelers cut Franco Harris.
Rodgers has a minimal history in Pittsburgh. He’s not a real Steeler.
But he’s pushing the franchise around like all-time Steelers greats couldn’t.
It makes zero sense, especially considering what the end result will be.