**How long are the Steelers willing to wait on Aaron Rodgers to make a decision?**
It is atypical for the Steelers to wait on a player like Aaron Rodgers, but Aaron Rodgers is an atypical player. Even if he is past his prime and out of his mind, he still rightfully commands a level of respect. At least his football talents and resume do, and the hope of providing better play. But there has to be a line at some point — the question is where?
The way things currently stand, it seems as though Rodgers will either play for the Steelers or sit things out. If he doesn’t want to sign, he can wait and see if another opportunity arises. Despite a lengthy meeting and regular contact, and a contract offer gathering dust, he has thus far declined to commit.
That alone should offer some level of concern, especially from the volunteers-not-hostages perspective. Why are the Steelers, or perhaps rather HC Mike Tomlin, so acquiescent to Aaron Rodgers if he is not committed? There is no compelling reason why he wouldn’t be prepared to commit now if he were to do so. The longer things drag on, the less likely it seems he is prepared to make any investment in the team.
Despite praising Tomlin in the past, along with reports that the holdup isn’t about contracts — and the fact that nobody else is actively pursuing him — Aaron Rodgers is waiting things out with the Steelers. The reason why is not clear, and we don’t know if the Steelers know.
We also don’t know how long the Steelers are willing to wait on Rodgers. We don’t know if the presence or absence of Rodgers affects their draft plans. Are they more likely to feel the next to draft a quarterback in the first round if he doesn’t sign? Or will the sense of urgency to find a long-term starter for the future remain exactly the same?
We knew going into this offseason that there were no good long-term solutions at quarterback available to Pittsburgh. Even if you accept a player like Cam Ward as a future franchise quarterback, they have no shot at him. The Steelers have already signed Mason Rudolph and may be willing to start him, if necessary. Is that alone sufficient to allow them to wait on Rodgers indefinitely to decide whether he wants to sign?
_The Steelers’ 2024 season has come to its predictably inauspicious end, with yet another one-and-done postseason for HC Mike Tomlin. The offense faltered, and the defense matched it blow for blow, leading to a 21-0 first-half deficit._
_Just like last year, the biggest question hanging over the Steelers is_ [_the quarterback question_](https://steelersdepot.com/2025/03/the-athletic-hard-to-think-about-anything-else-without-qb-in-place-for-steelers/)_. There are_ [_other major decisions to make_](https://overthecap.com/salary-cap/pittsburgh-steelers)_, as well, such as what to do with George Pickens. Do you sign him to an extension, try to trade him, or let him play out his rookie contract?_
_The Steelers started the 2024 season 10-3, with Mike Tomlin in the Coach of the Year conversation. Wash, rinse, and repeat, and we have another late-season collapse. This may be the worst yet, a four-game losing streak presaging a one-and-done playoff “run”. Welcome to Steelers football._