Aaron Rodgers appeared like he would never reach a formal decision for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finally decided to join The Black and Gold, which added the final quarterback to the roster, which general manager Omar Khan had promised. Rodgers will lead the pack with Mason Rudolph and Will Howard in tow.
This signing is terrible news for Skylar Thompson.
Thompson signed with the Steelers and was their first quarterback on the roster heading into the offseason. Many assumed he could be their third quarterback on the depth chart this year, considering the amount of experience he brings to his game. With three other quarterbacks favored to make the team in front of him, it's hard to imagine Thompson lasting long in Pittsburgh.
Bringing Rodgers on board should help Mike Tomlin secure another non-losing season. Rodgers isn't the same as he used to be when he racked up NFL MVP awards like baseball cards. He is older, and all signs say this is his final campaign. No matter what fans think of the seasoned veteran, his addition will have monumental impacts on the Steelers' roster from here on out.
Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of Aaron Rodgers sinks Skylar Thompson's roster chances
Thompson is a former seventh-rounder out of Kansas State.
His time with the Miami Dolphins was inconsistent. He found his way to the starting role for a limited opportunity. While he holds a record of 1-2 as a starter, he has appeared in an additional seven games beyond that. Thompson wasn't going to challenge to become the starter in Pittsburgh, but he could've gunned for the backup spot without Rodgers.
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The best thing Thompson can do is show up to work with a positive attitude. His chances of making the roster with the Steelers are slim to none. He would have to force Howard or Rudolph off the team, which is unlikely. The good news for this fourth-year player is that he might have a chance to excel elsewhere.
He must prove to other teams around the NFL he is worth the gamble.
Having four quarterbacks provides a unique challenge regarding snap distribution. Rodgers will receive plenty of rest days at training camp and won't see much game time during the preseason. Tomlin will manage him similarly to Ben Roethlisberger. That should give Thompson a shot at getting some game tape out there to the other 31 teams searching for upgrades across their roster.
Bringing Rodgers onto the team might help the Steelers' starting spot, but it could be the end for Thompson in Pittsburgh. He will have a chance to prove his worth, but is facing a steep uphill battle. If he fails to make the team, he could find a landing spot elsewhere with a solid preseason. Otherwise, Thompson could revert to Pittsburgh's practice squad or drop out of the NFL.