Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Getty
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks to pass during Minicamp at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been known to take an active role in recruiting his former teammates and friends to play with him, including several who joined him during his two seasons with the New York Jets.
But the future Hall of Famer failed in his recent attempt to lure one of his favorite targets to Pittsburgh, losing out to an NFC team hoping to return to Super Bowl contention.
Aaron Rodgers Turned Down by Marquez Valdes-Scantling
Rodgers built a strong connection with wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling during their seasons with the Green Bay Packers, then got the chance to reunite this week after a surprise move. Valdes-Scantling appeared to be headed to a significant role with the Seattle Seahawks, but was instead released at final roster cuts and headed to free agency.
Valdes-Scantling decided to sign with the San Francisco 49ers’ practice squad, but admitted that Rodgers made a strong pitch for him to join the Steelers.
“He wanted me back over there,” Valdes-Scantling told reporters on Thursday, via The Athletic.
Valdes-Scantling admitted that he was contemplating returning to his longtime quarterback in Pittsburgh, but ultimately decided the 49ers offered a better career opportunity.
After a slow start with the Buffalo Bills last season that led to him being released, Valdes-Scantling finished with the New Orleans Saints and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Klint’s younger brother, Klay, is the offensive coordinator in San Francisco and Valdes-Scantling thought it would be a good fit for him.
“There’s a lot of carryover with the system, being able to come in right away and not have to learn a whole new system,” he said.
Valdes-Scantling could have had a good opportunity in Pittsburgh thanks to his longtime connection with Rodgers. The veteran receiver made 121 receptions for 2,134 yards with 13 touchdowns in his 58 career games with Rodgers.
Aaron Rodgers Earning Respect From His Teammates
Though Rodgers waited a long time before ultimately deciding to sign with the Steelers, he has already won over many of his teammates — including some vocal critics. Safety DeShon Elliott initially said Rodgers should have stayed in the “retirement home,” but said he made up with Rodgers once he joined the team.
“When he got here, we communicated, we talked, he’s a great person and a great football player,” Elliott said, via ESPN. “I respect him a lot. I told him that I respect him, and I apologized to him for the things I was saying about him. Honestly, he’s a great man and he has a great heart, so I appreciate him and he’s funny as hell.”
Rodgers has been intentional in building connections with his teammates, saying he tries to pair up with a different player every time the team stretches.
“That’s intentional,” Rodgers said. “I like to grab somebody new and just have a quick chat with them. So many times, where I feel like the expectation is that leaders got to be [at] the front of the line, but sometimes to lead properly, you have to serve, and serving sometimes involves being at the back. Sometimes when you’re back, you can get a good view of what’s going on all the time, getting close to the team.”