How Much More Patience Can Steelers Have with Aaron Rodgers?
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Pittsburgh Steelers are going on two months of not knowing what Aaron Rodgers will do. It may be time to end their patience.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the entire NFL, have been in limbo with the Aaron Rodgers saga. From conspiracies to targeted dates, and even talks of retirement, it seems no one really knows what is going on with the four-time MVP. While Rodgers gives them the best chance to win in 2025, it has set an odd precedent, and the Steelers' patience must end–now.
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Rodgers has some gas left in the tank. There's no doubt about that. However, whether or not he wants to play is. As Chuck Noll once said, 'If you're thinking about retiring, you already are.' Rodgers went as far as going on Pat McAfee's show and hinted it was still an option.
The last time Pittsburgh had a quarterback dance with the thought of retiring was from 2016 to 2021. Ben Roethlisberger, following a loss in the 2016 AFC Championship, openly contemplated retirement.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger attending Day 1 of OTAs on May 21, 2024 — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
General manager Kevin Colbert responded by drafting Josh Dobbs in the fourth-round of the 2017 draft and Mason Rudolph in the third-round of the 2018 draft. Both of these irked Roethlisberger, but those talks slowed until 2021, when it was clear he may not have much game left.
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Now the Steelers are square dancing with Rodgers and retirement. Rather, Rodgers is calling the square dance with the Steelers, the NFL, and the media. He is in total control.
To Rodgers' defense, there's nothing wrong with him controlling his situation. This is the first time he has truly been a free agent. This is a mess Pittsburgh created on its own.
Regardless of the mess to this point, with OTA's, minicamp, and training camp approaching, the Steelers have decisions to make. One might see these and think, 'Oh, well, he can wait until this date, or this, or this…'
At one point, it was reported that the Steelers gave a 'hard deadline' of the draft for Rodgers to decide. That time came and passed, the report was refuted, and the Steelers are left in mystery.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after a game on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
Then, at one point, it was speculated that Rodgers wanted to wait until after the NFL's schedule release. That time has also come and gone. Why should Pittsburgh continue to wait?
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Eventually, the Steelers might have players questioning if Rodgers is all-in–if they haven't by now. While head coach Mike Tomlin has treated his men all fairly but not equally, this is dangerous territory.
Ultimately, Rodgers might sign with the Steelers as early as tomorrow. This then all becomes a distant memory, and he participates in the rest of the offseason.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph in a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills on Jan. 15, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
However, the Steelers must put an end to their patience; set an actual hard deadline. If you're telling the fans you're comfortable with Rudolph, prove it.
As your defensive captain indirectly said to Rodgers in his podcast, 'Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. That's simple.'
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: How Much More Patience Can Steelers Have with Aaron Rodgers?
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