Do the Steelers already know Aaron Rodgers intends to play for them?
Late in the offseason, former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin admitted he knew Aaron Rodgers would sign before the draft. The implication is that it was one of the major reasons they waited until the sixth round to draft a quarterback. Thus far in free agency, however, they haven’t even hinted at making a move at a quarterback.
Many seem to believe this is an obvious sign that the Steelers know Rodgers will play for them. That may well be the case, although publicly it hasn’t seemed like it. Rodgers spoke publicly and basically said he wasn’t ready to make such a decision. He did admit that he was training—but his motivation was, uh, off the field. If you know, you know.
The NFL offseason has already witnessed a ton of quarterback movement. The likes of Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray have switched teams, and Malik Willis signed a pretty big deal. It doesn’t seem the Steelers showed interest in any of these options, but is that because of what they know about Aaron Rodgers?
During the Combine, GM Omar Khan said they were preparing for two possibilities: Rodgers playing and Rodgers retiring. That was a while ago already, though, and it’s possible even then they knew something they wouldn’t say publicly.
There are basically three primary possibilities. The Steelers either know with reasonable confidence that Aaron Rodgers intends to play, are really confident in Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, or quietly love another option. What if they fall in love with Ty Simpson—or maybe they think they can trade for somebody?
Or maybe they’ve just been down this road with Rodgers before and are willing to travel with him. The Steelers got more or less the complete Aaron Rodgers experience last year, so they know what they’re getting into. And it’s not like Mike McCarthy doesn’t have a history with him. Rodgers even admitted that the familiarity of the coaching staff is a draw for him, so there’s that.
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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