Free agency has come and gone, and the draft is underway. I’m currently organizing a team activity. Surely, Aaron Rodgers can’t skip the entire offseason only to show up at the Pittsburgh Steelers’ training camp, right?
Actually, that’s exactly what’s happening. Reports indicate that Rodgers is set to officially sign with the Steelers this Friday. Although this seems late, it aligns with team statements made in April, just days before the NFL Draft started.
On April 23, Kern told reporters, “We’ll go into camp with four quarterbacks. Currently, we have two on our roster, and all options are open on how to win the last two spots.” Steelers coach Tomlin also shared during the same press conference that training camp is a crucial period for team development.
The full squad mini-camp is scheduled for Tuesday, earlier than the original timeline Kern and Tomlin had set for finalizing the quarterback room. This suggests that Rodgers’ visit to the Steelers, possibly as early as March 21, was part of a longer-term strategy signaling his offseason plans.
Whether way, it likely means Pittsburgh has cleared the way for Rodgers, with no strict deadlines, and in his own words this offseason, Rodgers is “open to everything, nothing in particular attached.”
Signing this late in June might upset some Steelers fans and draw criticism from team legends like Terry Bradshaw and Ryan Clark. There’s also speculation that Rodgers’ delay could be linked to the Minnesota Vikings evaluating JJ McCarthy, possibly influencing their 2025 quarterback plans. This has stirred league-wide rumors, highlighting broader uncertainty about Rodgers’ commitment for another season.
There’s now no doubt—had Rodgers skipped everything until training camp, his past words could have backfired. When he joined the New York Jets’ organized team activities in 2023, he stressed how important it was to connect with teammates and coaches early on—a message he shared during a May 23 press conference with the Jets, where he appeared happy and confident.
Rodgers explained why working with the Jets’ OTA team was vital: “In my first year here, with a new offense, I wanted to cover basics like codewords, minor adjustments, and how I analyze the game—to spark discussion.”
Two years later, Rodgers is finally ready to start that same process with his new team in Pittsburgh. Up until now, it has seemed like all of Rodgers’ moves were on his own timeline.
To echo Steelers owner Art Rooney II, this is “reality Pittsburgh had to live with a little longer.” Thankfully, that wait is over.
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Fan Take: This signing is a major moment for NFL fans as it not only signals a potential turnaround for the Steelers but also underscores the evolving nature of player-team dynamics in the league. Rodgers joining Pittsburgh could reshape the quarterback landscape and inject fresh excitement into the 2024 season.
