For the second offseason in a row, Aaron Rodgers’ signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers has been the talk of the offseason. With the NFL’s annual league meetings underway in Phoenix, the Rodgers question has been one of the biggest stories. Head coach Mike McCarthy confirmed that he has frequent communication with Rodgers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter added to the Rodgers discussion on NFL Live today and believes the Steelers have some optimism that Rodgers will return.
“He and Mike McCarthy have been talking on a regular basis. That would lead people to think, if they’re talking that often, why are they even talking if Aaron Rodgers is not serious about coming back? That would tell you that obviously, he’s strongly entertaining the idea of coming back to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think everyone right now within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization is cautiously optimistic that he’s coming back,” Schefter said on NFL Live.
If the Steelers weren’t at least somewhat hopeful about Rodgers’ return, it wouldn’t make sense for the coaching staff to communicate with him and keep him in the loop. Last offseason, Rodgers constantly communicated with Mike Tomlin and ultimately signed in June. Unlike last offseason, there aren’t any other potential suitors for Rodgers, and it sounds like he either returns to Pittsburgh or retires.
He has a connection with McCarthy from their time in Green Bay, as well as with other members of the coaching staff, which could incentivize Rodgers to come back for another season. Given the Steelers’ inaction at the quarterback position in free agency, it makes sense that they feel somewhat optimistic that Rodgers could return. While multiple members of the organization, including McCarthy, have praised Will Howard, the team hasn’t added another quarterback. With them usually taking four to training camp, it would make sense that they’re waiting for Rodgers.
Team owner Art Rooney II said he expects an answer from Rodgers before the draft. If one doesn’t come by then, that’s where things could get interesting, as the Steelers could take a quarterback early in the draft. But for now, they are holding out hope that Rodgers will return and the team won’t have a different Week 1 starter for the fifth time since 2022.
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