As Pittsburgh Steelers fans, we haven't seen anything quite like this. In most years, we have had a great sense of who their starting quarterback would be before the offseason even begins. This year, we are four days into free agency and we don't have a clue who will be under center in Pittsburgh. You can blame Aaron Rodgers for being forced to play the waiting game.
During the NFL's negotiation period, Ian Rapoport told Pat McAfee that he believed Rodgers was taking his time to decide between the Steelers and the New York Giants. Hours after the official start of free agency, Dianna Russini of The Athletic hinted that the Minnesota Vikings could throw their hat in the ring for a four-time MVP quarterback.
After days of speculation, we now have confirmation the Steelers aren't the cause of the holdup.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that an offer has been made by the Pittsburgh Steelers to Aaron Rodgers. But it's not about the money. Rodgers is 'taking his good ol' time' to make a decision about his future.
The Pittsburgh Steelers must be patient with Aaron Rodgers
If you weren't already annoyed by Aaron Rodgers, you are now. I hate the fact that the future Hall of Fame quarterback gets to dictate the terms and everyone has to work on his timeline. We don't know how long he could wait to make a decision, and he could force front offices to sit and twiddle their thumbs for days or even weeks.
But what choice do the Steelers have?
With Geno Smith traded to the Raiders and Sam Darnold and Justin Fields quickly scooped up in free agency, Rodgers is easily the best player on the market who would give Pittsburgh a chance to compete in 2025. Turning back to Russell Wilson should be out of the question, and even Wilson has a visit with the Cleveland Browns and could sign any day now.
The free-agent quarterbacks outside of Rodgers include a lackluster list of underwhelming options like Jameis Winston, Gardner Minshew, Trey Lance, Drew Lock, Mason Rudolph, and Joe Flacco. There's no world where any of these players is good enough to compete for a championship, let alone bring playoff success to a team on an eight-year drought without a postseason win.
Rodgers might be a pain in the butt, but the Steelers don't have any options to turn to that could salvage their season. If the goal is to be competitive this year—with an aging Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt—Rodgers gives them the best chance to do just that.
This whole scenario feels like one of those challenges where a group of random strangers sees how long they can sit in a car for a chance to win a new vehicle. The Pittsburgh Steelers must showcase the utmost patience with Aaron Rodgers; they can't leave the hypothetical vehicle... no matter what.