The offseason-long saga of Aaron Rodgers-to-the-Pittsburgh-Steelers finally ended, and the 10-time Pro Bowler and four-time league MVP finally inked a deal to play quarterback for the black and gold.
While there were other suitors, there were always just two that Rodgers was reportedly interested in, the Steelers and the Minnesota Vikings.
The Vikings made a commitment to J.J. McCarthy, their No. 1 draft pick from last season, who tore his ACL last offseason. So Rodgers was down to Pittsburgh.
But during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers indicated there was one specific thing that drew him there. And it wasn't the money.
"On offense, there is good leadership," Rodgers said. "DK is a lead-by-example guy, and he's a big reason why I'm in Pittsburgh as well. Conversations that we had, and just the kind of person that he is. ... I didn't really know DK at all, and he's like, 'I work out at 6 a.m. every day.' I'm like, 'OK, alrighty, this guy is disciplined. This guy has a drive.' I said, 'How 'bout 8 o'clock?' You know, 'cause I have to drive from Malibu to UCLA. He said, 'Yea, that's fine.' So, he's not just a specimen, but he's a really solid human being.
"The way he practices, and that's I think one of the most encouraging things, is that the room goes how the top dog goes," he said. "And when DK catches the ball and finishes 60 yards to the end zone, it makes everybody else want to do the same thing."
If the Rodgers-to-Metcalf connection can find legs next season, there could be something special brewing for the Steelers' offense and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Now, if the defense can just keep up...