Should the Steelers pursue a veteran starting quarterback if Aaron Rodgers retires?
Mr. Ambiguity himself, Aaron Rodgers, has made it clear that he is making no decision about his future with the Steelers anytime soon. Yet with the new league year around the corner, they must prepare for eventualities. And at least some of those eventualities aren’t going to wait, but will they?
Perhaps that depends on how the Steelers assess their alternative options to Aaron Rodgers. For one thing, they have some internal options in Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, depending on who you ask. I don’t really see either of them starting this season unless Pittsburgh really botches things, though.
Last week, GM Omar Khan said he doesn’t think Aaron Rodgers will drag out his decision like last year. Rodgers, speaking on the Pat McAfee Show recently, didn’t exactly seem to be on the same page. He didn’t sound like someone on the verge of making a decision, but you can never know with him. For one thing, he is way too fascinated by The Usual Suspects. It’s a good movie, but come on…it’s pretty entry-level “deep guy” stuff. Maybe that’s not relevant to this current discussion, but I had to get that off my chest.
If Aaron Rodgers retires or signs elsewhere, then what should the Steelers do? They could trade for Mac Jones or Anthony Richardson, maybe even another name. Or they could wait to see who might be available after release, like Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa. There could be some really interesting names on the market, though that doesn’t necessarily make them desirable.
Publicly, the Steelers are unwilling to forego a season without competing, so I’m not convinced that they would turn to Mason Rudolph or Will Howard if Aaron Rodgers were to leave. At the very least, they would acquire a veteran starter who could compete, even if it’s a Marcus Mariota or Jacoby Brissett. Or maybe that’s what Mike Tomlin would have done; perhaps Mike McCarthy is more courageous. After all, he’s had losing seasons before.
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017.With seven consecutive postseason losses and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin’s resignation.
The NFL has crowned its latest champion, but for us and the Steelers, we have been in offseason mode. That’s what happens when the team you coverloses by the middle of January all the time, but you’ve been around, so you know that already. Enjoy the ride, even the turbulence, because it’s the only way we know how to travel anymore.
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