PITTSBURGH --Aaron Rodgers is officially a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Yet, why did the team wait this entire time for him to sign?
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin explains why the team was able to wait on Rodgers. A lot of it came down to the respect Tomlin and Rodgers had for one another, on top of the resume Rodgers was bringing to the table.
“I mean, read his resume,” Tomlin said. “We’re excited about him being here. He’s excited to be here. But we’ll make no bold predictions; we’ll just roll our sleeves up and work.”
Rodgers is not doing team drills yet, as he said Tomlin told him to do individual drills. Tomlin said that is so the team can see more of Will Howard.
However, the team was able to wait on Rodgers this long and felt comfortable that he would end up with the Steelers due to the communication between Tomlin and Rodgers and the trust they had built over the process.
“We’ve both been in our roles a long time,” Tomlin said. “So, it’s personal comfort and security in that. We can relate on that level.”
Rodgers had 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions in 2024. He went just 5-12 in his starts with the Jets, and even after they acquired All-Pro wide receiver Davante Adams, went just 3-8. It was a tough season for Rodgers, who also had multiple leg injuries.
The Steelers think something remains in the tank for the former four-time MVP. They zeroed in on him as their target, as a result, especially after missing on re-signing Justin Fields.
Now, Rodgers will be with the Steelers on a deal that will not break the bank, and could still land them another wide receiver to help Rodgers.