For this final Aaron Rodgers season to work, he needs every Pittsburgh Steelers force to be all hands on deck.
Thus, the new Steelers QB's sneaky message about T.J. Watt issued as part of Rodgers' blockbuster retirement announcement on Tuesday.
If the Steelers are really "loading up'' to make a run?
They need their pivotal defensive guy to be happy at least as much as their pivotal offensive guy is.
So ...
During a Tuesday appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show'' as the QB revealed that he is "pretty sure" he will retire after he spends the 2025 season with the Steelers, Rodgers also snuck in a subtle message to the Steelers regarding Watt's holdout wish contract extension.
"Once we get our Hall of Fame outside rush-backer signed, you're talking about another guy who's a leader, not just by his example, but by his words," Rodgers said.
He was talking about Watt.
He is talking to the Steelers.
Pass rushers have enjoyed a massive jump in the market this NFL offseason. Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and eventually Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are all examples of new contracts reaching up near $40 million annually for the position.
Watt now wants a slice of the pie, too. ... and that is presently a problem.
Watt, who is entering the final year of a four-year $112 million contract, was absent from offseason sessions as he campaigns for a new deal.
The former Defensive Player of the Year previously had the record for the highest-paid contract at his position when he signed his current deal in 2021. This season, without an extension, he'll make $21.05 million on salary and cost $30.4 million total on the cap.
Watt, 30, is entering his ninth season in the league and remains one of the game's best defensive players. In 2024, he totaled 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles.
He has, over the years, led the league in sacks a record three times and owns four First Team All-Pro honors to go with his 2021 DPOY.
There is no question that Pittsburgh wants to keep him here and keep him happy.
And now we know that Rodgers wants that very same thing.