The Pittsburgh Steelers’ biggest storyline is whether or not Aaron Rodgers will re-sign with them. It’s almost a repeat of last offseason when the Steelers waited until June for Rodgers to join them. While it feels like the veteran quarterback doesn’t have any other suitors, rumors have swirled about Rodgers potentially joining the Arizona Cardinals. Several reports have shut that down, but Pat Rooney Jr., cousin to Steelers owner Art Rooney II, revealed Wednesday that the Cardinals showed interest in Rodgers.
“They did ask about [Rodgers] there,” Rooney said on the PBKC Picks podcast. “Yes, they did.”
It’s important to note that Rooney has no official affiliation with the Steelers. However, he could still be privy to information that most people aren’t. And there’s a chance that it could’ve been passed along to him by his cousin or someone else associated with the Steelers.
If the Cardinals asked about Rodgers, that would help explain why the Steelers placed a UFA tender on him. It’s meant to give them a compensatory pick in case Rodgers signs with another team before training camp. While it seemed like an odd move, the Steelers could be protecting themselves in case Rodgers decides to join Arizona.
Even if the Cardinals reached out to Rodgers, that doesn’t mean that they’re a serious contender for his services. They went 3-14 last year, and they’re in a tough division.
However, there are some reasons to connect Rodgers to the Cardinals. They have a new coaching staff that includes Mike LaFleur as head coach. His brother, Matt LaFleur, was Rodgers’ head coach with the Green Bay Packers from 2019-2022. The two of them had a lot of success together, too, including Rodgers being named league MVP twice.
Rodgers and Cardinals offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett have history together, too. The Steelers also have coaches who Rodgers is familiar with, though. He played for Mike McCarthy for 13 years, and several other Steelers assistant coaches were also with Rodgers in Green Bay.
At this point in his career, Rodgers will likely only return to the NFL for a shot at a Super Bowl. Are the Steelers championship favorites? No, but they seem considerably better off than the Cardinals.
Rodgers helped the Steelers make the playoffs last year, and they’ve improved their roster this offseason. He might believe that the team has a better chance in the postseason now. The Cardinals can ask about Rodgers all they want, but the final decision ultimately lies in his hands, at least until training camp. After that, due to the UFA tender, his options are either to join the Steelers or retire.
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