Pittsburgh Steelers given Aaron Rodgers deadline but quarterback ‘owes nobody’ as fans argue over decision
Aaron Rodgers is keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting. Having parted ways with the New York Jets, the veteran quarterback was strongly pursued by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. Rodgers will need time to learn the offense if he wants to playGetty After deciding not to draft a passer until selecting Ohio State prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, it appears the Steelers are all-in on Rodgers with Mason Rudolph the presumed starter as it stands. But whether the 40-year-old shares that enthusiasm remains up for debate. A contract offer has reportedly been on the table since March but without a signature it is meaningless. Now, as preparations ramp up for the 2025 season, the clock is ticking. Three-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck says Rodgers needs to be through the door when the Steelers begin OTAs on May 27. “I just mentioned the three phases for a veteran quarterback,” he told Colin Cowherd on Monday. “Phase one feels like a waste of your time. Like, it’s just lifting… There’s no football there. Anyway, phase two, again, you’re throwing to guys on air, not that important. phase three I think is really important. “So for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe that’s May 27th. May 27th is the start of Phase Three.” Rodgers, of course, has been known to pick and choose which offseason workouts suit him. In July 2024, he decided that the Jets’ mandatory minicamp was not that mandatory after all and went on vacation to Egypt instead. The quarterback might decide he has nothing left to proveGetty Tomlin’s team looks light at quarterbackGetty It was one of many factors that irreparably damaged his relationship with the team. He was under contract with New York at the time and as that is not the case with Pittsburgh, fans are debating whether he owes Tomlin and the Steelers anything. “Not sure why people care that Aaron is not deciding on his team yet,” wrote columnist Andrew Brandt in March. “Addiction to NFL news culture has made people conditioned to demand immediacy,” replied a fan on X. “People say Rodgers wants attention–if he did he could very easily get it by coming on here and popping off. There’s nothing wrong with taking time to decide. He owes no one a quick decision.” “Take: I’m not a fan of Aaron Rodgers showing up at the Kentucky Derby w/o a Steelers contract,” added another. “More proof that football is on his back-burner. Put pen to paper. Then go gallivant. And drink mint juleps. To quote someone I respect: ‘do you want to be a Steeler or not?'” With the Minnesota Vikings content to give JJ McCarthy a shot and the New York Giants trading up to add Jaxson Dart to a room which already features former Steeler Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, Rodgers’ options are seemingly running out. It appears to be either Pittsburgh or retirement. The closer we get to the season, the more likely it is that the four-time MVP decides that enough is enough. If he does want to play, Rodgers surely needs a full offseason program in order to gel with a new team and shake off any rust. The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf to bolster a wide receiver room that also features George Pickens. Per Jeremy Fowler, Pickens almost requested a trade but decided to stay in Pittsburgh. That could change when he learns who will be throwing him the ball next season. Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
Aaron Rodgers is keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting.
Having parted ways with the New York Jets, the veteran quarterback was strongly pursued by Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin.
After deciding not to draft a passer until selecting Ohio State prospect Will Howard in the sixth round, it appears the Steelers are all-in on Rodgers with Mason Rudolph the presumed starter as it stands.
But whether the 40-year-old shares that enthusiasm remains up for debate.
A contract offer has reportedly been on the table since March but without a signature it is meaningless.
Now, as preparations ramp up for the 2025 season, the clock is ticking.
Three-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck says Rodgers needs to be through the door when the Steelers begin OTAs on May 27.
“I just mentioned the three phases for a veteran quarterback,” he told Colin Cowherd on Monday.
“Phase one feels like a waste of your time. Like, it’s just lifting… There’s no football there. Anyway, phase two, again, you’re throwing to guys on air, not that important. phase three I think is really important.
“So for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe that’s May 27th. May 27th is the start of Phase Three.”
Rodgers, of course, has been known to pick and choose which offseason workouts suit him.
In July 2024, he decided that the Jets’ mandatory minicamp was not that mandatory after all and went on vacation to Egypt instead.
It was one of many factors that irreparably damaged his relationship with the team.
He was under contract with New York at the time and as that is not the case with Pittsburgh, fans are debating whether he owes Tomlin and the Steelers anything.
“Not sure why people care that Aaron is not deciding on his team yet,” wrote columnist Andrew Brandt in March.
“Addiction to NFL news culture has made people conditioned to demand immediacy,” replied a fan on X. “People say Rodgers wants attention–if he did he could very easily get it by coming on here and popping off. There’s nothing wrong with taking time to decide. He owes no one a quick decision.”
“Take: I’m not a fan of Aaron Rodgers showing up at the Kentucky Derby w/o a Steelers contract,” added another. “More proof that football is on his back-burner. Put pen to paper. Then go gallivant. And drink mint juleps. To quote someone I respect: ‘do you want to be a Steeler or not?'”
With the Minnesota Vikings content to give JJ McCarthy a shot and the New York Giants trading up to add Jaxson Dart to a room which already features former Steeler Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, Rodgers’ options are seemingly running out.
It appears to be either Pittsburgh or retirement.
The closer we get to the season, the more likely it is that the four-time MVP decides that enough is enough.
If he does want to play, Rodgers surely needs a full offseason program in order to gel with a new team and shake off any rust.
The Steelers traded for DK Metcalf to bolster a wide receiver room that also features George Pickens.
Per Jeremy Fowler, Pickens almost requested a trade but decided to stay in Pittsburgh. That could change when he learns who will be throwing him the ball next season.
Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our talkSPORT Facebook page, and subscribe to our Endzone YouTube channel for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April
