There are recent reports by a couple of different insiders who paint a new picture of the Pittsburgh Steelers saga with free agent Aaron Rodgers. While the embattled quarterback has taken his time to deal with personal matters, many within the Steelers organization believe he will eventually sign a contract with the team.
Everyone in the city of Pittsburgh wants to get a final answer one way or another.
Mark Kaboly, a Steelers correspondent for The Pat McAfee Show, and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero of The Insiders have produced a window of dates that will determine the outcome of Rodgers joining the Steelers. Kaboly believes that it could happen this weekend, leading into the mandatory minicamp, which starts June 10. Pelissero is not as optimistic as Kaboly, and he indicates this could drag on until the start of training camp on July 23.
One way or another, Pittsburgh has given Rodgers complete control over this situation. They have allowed him plenty of time to figure out what his football future will be in 2025.
Most believe that he will be the Steelers' starting quarterback, but nothing is guaranteed until he officially signs a contract. There is no hard deadline from the Steelers yet, but that could change in the coming weeks.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a range of dates to get an answer from free agent Aaron Rodgers
The more optimistic approach is Kaboly, who has closer ties to Rodgers since he works for Pat McAfee, who is close with the signal caller. The Steelers reporter also knows Mike Tomlin well, who is spearheading the chase for Rodgers. Pittsburgh's beat reporter envisions Rodgers coming to town and attending a minicamp next week.
"I still think he signs over the next couple of days," Kaboly said on Kaboly and Mack." Friday or over the weekend, be there Monday or Tuesday. Depends on when the news is broken. I still think that is the plan."
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It would be a little surprising to see Rodgers sign with Pittsburgh before their minicamp. While it would make sense in an ideal world, the grizzled vet doesn't seem happy with the idea of participating in off-season activities. He might want to wait on his decision until minicamp is over and push towards the start of training camp before signing a contract. All the cards are on the table.
Pelissero isn't as hopeful that this entire saga will conclude anytime soon.
"There are all these signs that he's coming, but he has not affirmatively said, 'hey, book me a ticket June 9. I'm coming in and I'm joining this team," Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show.
With the knowledge that Kaboly and Pelissero reported, it appears that neither is definitive in their timelines. While they have a general idea, no one knows when this will end except for the free-agent gunslinger. They at least provided a window of time for this to reach a dramatic finish. Expect Rodgers to have a little longer before the organization puts its foot down.
Between now and the start of training camp might be the final timeline for the Steelers.
Rodgers will be heading to the Hall of Fame when it is all said and done. All indications show that he will be the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in 2025, but he had better sign soon. The Pittsburgh Steelers have lost their backbone in these negotiations, but they have nowhere else to turn. If Rodgers tries to extend his decision beyond the start of training camp, they might have to move past him.