Steelers star addresses Aaron Rodgers' long-winded saga and whether it's become a 'distraction'
Pittsburgh Steelers star Alex Highsmith has addressed the long-winded saga of the team's pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, as the quarterback remains unsigned with the season three months away.
Rodgers was thought to be a hot commodity in the free-agent market a few months back, but the 41-year-old watched his contemporaries get contracts instead.
While the decision on Rodgers may have been delated due to some close to the quarterback having cancer, the Steelers cannot wait around forever for the four-time MVP to commit to them.
'I just feel like in the locker room and stuff, we're in there working, and I think that's just really what it's about at this point,' Highsmith said on NFL Network. 'I know that if he does sign, we're definitely going to be really excited to have him.'
'We know who he is. He's a Hall-of-Fame quarterback. He's one of the best to ever do it. I wouldn't say it's a distraction at all, but we all know what type of quarterback he is and what he brings to the table.'
The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph and Will Howard at quarterback heading into 2025 in what may be the least talented quarterback room in the NFL.
If either is chosen as the starter, the Steelers look to be not seriously thinking of winning a Super Bowl.
While Rodgers would not be a long-term solution, for at least one year, he would present a better option with his experience, especially in a loaded AFC North.
The firepower of Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow, as well as the interesting saga in Cleveland's quarterback room, would be matched with either Howard or Rudolph as things stand.
'I think we just try to put our best foot forward every day, like with who's in the building right now,' Highsmith added. 'I know Mason being there, he's done a great job. The guys are rallying around him and, like I said, he's been with us before and guys know him, Pittsburgh fans know him.'
'The way that he helped us finish in 2023 was awesome. No matter who's back there for us, whether it's him or if Aaron Rodgers is gonna come, I'm just excited. Whoever's back there, we're gonna have their backs and we're gonna rally behind them. Just excited for whoever it's gonna be.'
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