The Pittsburgh Steelers hosted free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers on a visit to the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Friday. It is the first known visit Rodgers has conducted during his process.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Rodgers spent over six hours at the facility getting to know the Steelers' coaches and talking with some of the team’s top brass. During that meeting, he met with head coach Mike Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan, and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.
Schefter says both sides came out of the visit believing it was positive and they will continue an open line of communication, something that was opened earlier this week.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network added some more color to the report. The Steelers and Rodgers' offer has been out there for weeks, and it is a one-year deal. None of that changed during the meeting, as the sides just wanted to get to know each other rather than discuss money.
It is unknown if Rodgers plans to do something similar with the New York Giants, who are the other team in pursuit of him. Dianna Russini of The Athletic says Rodgers' offer from the Giants is more lucrative than the one the Steelers have on the table.
Yet, for the 41-year-old coming off a year where he led the New York Jets to a 5-12 record, he is looking for a place where he can win. Rodgers threw for 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while battling knee and hamstring injuries throughout the season.
If he did sign on with the Steelers, it would likely be a one-year patch rather than a long-term plan for the team. Pittsburgh has scouted rookie quarterbacks, and could draft someone even if they sign Rodgers.
On top of that, they do have Mason Rudolph under contract, which will help in the event Rodgers gets injured or decides to head elsewhere. Pittsburgh is still waiting on Rodgers' decision, but it seems like him, they are in no rush to find out what the answer will be.
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