Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin aren't desperate for each other, but could be a good match anyway
[Jim Wexell](https://247sports.com/user/Jim Wexell/)
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Well, they finally got that first date out of the way.
Not that playing hard-to-get is a bad thing, especially if neither side is desperate. Never, ever let your desperation show.
We all knew that Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers were sweet for each other, ever since they made goo-goo eyes across the bar, er, the field a few years ago. Rodgers, having been released, also falls into the Steelers' plan for mining comp picks, and very few other QBs do.
And, sure enough, it finally happened. On a Friday, too, the second-best date night. In my opinion Thursdays are better, when you have the entire three-day weekend to allow the date to marinate. But Fridays are fine.
I'm told neither side expressed his desperation upon meeting, because, really, there isn't any. Rodgers isn't desperate for money; Tomlin isn't desperate for a QB who'll turn 42 during the upcoming season.
However, they could still be good for each other. In that regard, it's akin to dating in your 60s, so I know this stuff. Rodgers still has the arm, so he would like to add one more Lombardi to his closing resume. Tomlin would like the same, and he still has the chops to manage a team and motivate players.
You're probably asking: Is this Lombardi talk some kind of joke?
It isn't. Not for an organization that never, ever believes in looking to tank.
And, hey, when you add a player with the immense skill set of a DK Metcalf, and you see a maturing and possibly fully rebuilt offensive line, with the promise of a far better running game, all you need is a wisened QB who won't blow up your plans by audibling to moon balls on fourth-and-short, someone who'll throw to your pass-catching tight end and the other newcomer, Roman Wilson, over the middle of the field. Throw in some quick defensive fixes at cornerback, third safety, nickelback, run-stuffer, with a maturing ILB group, there's enough reason to spark some hope.
For 60-year-olds now. Stay with me here, because we still have game, even at our age. Take care of yourself and you'll see.
Back to the first date.
Now, I didnt have a source in the room, but from experience I imagine it went down this way:
The parties met over coffee, maybe a drink depending on the time of day. They could also order soup, probably not a sandwich though. You don't want to make a spectacle of chewing, except maybe a little cake after coffee. Since Tomlin was on his home field, he could arrange for a wingman or two to drop by. Omar Khan and Art Rooney II are fairly impressive dudes.
Those two no doubt sat across from Mike and Aaron. You never want to sit opposite your date the first time out (or the second, third, fourth, in my opinion). That comes off as interrogative. Never make it seem like you're in a police station under a hot lamp mining information.
You want to keep it light, make jokes, talk about common friends, tell cool stories that involve the other person. And since you're sitting side by side, you're liable to have a much better conversation. Think about your most thought-provoking conversations: while walking, while driving. It's easier to turn and look into each other's eyes and then look away rather than hold your gaze like a cop searching your soul for lies.
Once you're comfortable, and Art has to take a leak, and Omar needs to take a call from Ann Arbor (all pre-planned of course), both sides are ready to take a quick information dive.
Rodgers: Man, you added Metcalf. Great move. Will be cool watching him work with Pickens. You're trading Pickens, though, aren't you?
Tomlin: I really don't think so. He has another year left on his contract and we would like to see how he works with a new QB. He proved to be deadly with Mason Rudolph a couple years ago, so we can get that combo fired up again.
Rodgers: But, man, you lost Najee. I liked how his hair flew around so much. He must've been running really hard.
Tomlin: Yeah, that was a tough loss, but we really like Jaylen Warren. It's his turn. And Kenny G has talent. We might get another explosive guy in a deep draft, too, so you never know. But, yeah, we're pretty excited. Mason will surprise a lot of people we think. What about you? How's your health? How's your wing?
Rodgers: Good, good. I'm sure you saw my tape. I feel I got better as the year went on. But, those Jets, man.
Tomlin: Yeah (chuckles). So how was that last relationship?
Rodgers. It was tough. You've seen them for so many years. You know. But I hate to talk dirt on my exes, so let's just leave it at that. Anyway, I hear a lot about these facilities, but they seem fine. Everything still seems fairly new and clean, just a little tight.
Tomlin: Yeah, we made the mistake of including Pitt in this when we built it. But, otherwise, ever since we put the media in the barn out back there's been enough room to do everything we need to win. As Art pointed out to the media a couple months ago, the important part is keeping up on the technology, and we've done that.
By then Art returns with a big smile upon hearing his name mentioned. Plus he has a big slice of cheesecake and four forks. Omar also returns and tells a cool story about how this nose tackle at Michigan wouldn't run today unless they called him Kenny G, and, oh, the irony.
The boys all laugh, shovel in some cake, call it a day. They do have a last laugh about how the reporters who cover Twitter will squawk about "leaving the building without a contract!" and then they say hey this was fun, maybe we should do it again.
And they all nod. Yeah. Maybe.
So now we wait a couple of days. No one will let his desperation show. Besides, you want to allow a warm, light-hearted meeting to marinate. Let each side wonder if the guy likes you or not. That always increases attraction. Call back on Monday or Tuesday. Meet again next Friday, or, better, next Thursday. Then talk money.
It will only get easier. After all, they seem like a good match.
Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin (Photo: Jeff Hanisch, USA TODAY Sports)