Steelers' Patrick Queen: 'It would be cool' if team signed Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers began their first day of organized team activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, and some players are feeling Aaron Rodgers' absence more than others.
Linebacker Patrick Queen told reporters Tuesday that, though he believes in the quarterbacks the team already has in the building, he'd still like to call the veteran gunslinger his teammate.
"I'm fine with the guys we got right now," he said. "But ... when I was little, I was a fan of Aaron Rodgers. So it would be cool to have him on the team and stuff, but at the same time, the three guys we got right now, I'll roll with them."
Patrick Queen:'I'm happy with the (quarterbacks) we have here, but the little fan in me… I grew up a fan of Aaron Rodgers.' pic.twitter.com/bigPcGIfsH
— Chris Adamski (@C_AdamskiTrib) May 27, 2025
Rodgers, it should be noted, is still a free agent. But the connection he's had with Pittsburgh all offseason looms especially large as the team's offseason training program gets underway.
In late March, Rodgers reportedly spent six hours at the Steelers' team facilities meeting with head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan. He eventually left without a deal.
A few weeks later, Rodgers joined the "Pat McAfee Show" and disclosed that he was dealing with personal matters, which have delayed his decision about whether he will play in 2025. Sportswriter Ian O'Connor, who wrote a biography on Rodgers, said earlier this month that he expects Rodgers' personal issues to be cleared up by the time the Steelers begin their minicamp in June.
Team owner Art Rooney II has also recently told reporters multiple times that he and the team will wait "a little while longer" on Rodgers to make a decision. So as the team's offseason workouts start without Rodgers present, the door is not necessarily closed on a deal.
For now, the three quarterbacks the Steelers have on their roster are Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson, both of whom signed with the team this offseason, and Will Howard, Pittsburgh's 2025 NFL Draft sixth-round pick.
Rudolph has the most starting experience between the three (18 games) and played five seasons with the Steelers prior to joining the Tennessee Titans last year. He re-signed with Pittsburgh on a two-year, $8 million deal in March.
In 2024, Rodgers' second and final year with the Jets, the veteran had a completion rate of 63% with 3,897 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. New York let Rodgers know the team planned to go in a different direction in February before releasing him in March.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers Steelers rumors: Patrick Queen hopes veteran joins team
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
29 minutes ago
- USA Today
Steelers' Beanie Bishop says it would be 'pretty cool' to sign 'funny guy' Aaron Rodgers
Steelers' Beanie Bishop says it would be 'pretty cool' to sign 'funny guy' Aaron Rodgers Despite being unsigned, Aaron Rodgers may be one of the most polarizing figures in Pittsburgh — but not if you asked second-year Steelers CB Beanie Bishop Jr. Bishop — whose recent disrespect of the Pitt Panthers football logo has gone viral — was asked on Day 5 of OTAs what it would mean to have Rodgers on the Steelers. Having been linked to Rodgers last season for intercepting two passes from the four-time MVP — and hilariously asking him to sign them — here's what Bishop had to say about the veteran QB (courtesy of Steelers Live): "I think it would be a cool thing. You know, obviously, to have another guy that's ultimately going to be in the Hall of Fame," Bishop said. "I met him when he was in the facility — he's a funny guy. So, I think it'll be pretty cool." Bishop is, of course, referencing the 'secret' meeting at the Steelers facility back in March, during which Rodgers went to great lengths to avoid the media from turning it into a headline — but clearly, he made a positive impression on the young Steelers CB. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Steelers RG Mason McCormick on rookie learning curve — ready for Year 2 breakout
Steelers RG Mason McCormick on rookie learning curve — ready for Year 2 breakout Mason McCormick's successful rookie season was one of the biggest surprises of 2024 — but the Steelers right guard is looking forward to what Year 2 has in store. McCormick — who was drafted by the Steelers in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft — explained to reporters on Day 5 of OTAs the improvements he's looking to make in his second season (courtesy of Steelers Live): "Last year, as a rookie, there's kind of a lot of thinking — 'How do I hit this block?' or 'How do I do this?'" McCormick explained. "I just want all of that stuff to become second nature so I can really fine-tune the little details and stuff like that — which, I feel like it has been. I haven't really forgot anything from last year. Through the offseason, I've really hit the ground running, and I feel like [the Steelers offensive line is] ready to take that step." McCormick will join fellow second-year Steelers starting offensive linemen RT Troy Fautanu and C Zach Frazier in helping Pittsburgh's offensive line finally come together in 2025. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
As Jacob Melton arrives, Jose Altuve will remain Astros' left fielder
PITTSBURGH — Major League Baseball introduced its All-Star fan balloting Wednesday with a familiar sight. Atop an alphabetical list of second-base candidates sat Jose Altuve, elected in four previous seasons as the American League's starter at the position. Each team is responsible for submitting its players at their respective positions. Altuve appearing among the second basemen may be nothing but a procedural move that the Houston Astros hope will garner more Midsummer Classic votes for the face of their franchise. Advertisement Given the scarcity of other second-base candidates, it is a shrewd decision, even if it does not align with the Astros' reality. Across their first 61 games, Altuve has started at second base 14 times. That six of those starts have come within Houston's last 15 games prompts understandable speculation. So did the promotion of touted outfield prospect Jacob Melton last weekend, and his two consecutive starts in left field against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday and Wednesday. None of this is affecting a plan that Houston enacted this winter and wants to see through. Altuve is — and will remain — the Astros' primary left fielder, even with a sudden surplus of more natural, athletic outfielders around him. 'I'm still planning to do the same amount of games in second base and left, DH him some,' Joe Espada, Astros manager, said before Wednesday's 3-0 loss at PNC Park. 'Trying to map it out enough where I can also keep him fresh and keep his bat in the lineup.' Part of that plan includes not exposing Altuve to places like PNC Park, which features one of baseball's most cavernous left fields. Playing him there Thursday behind ground-ball expert Framber Valdez would be logical, just as it was to start Melton in left field Tuesday and Wednesday. Altuve has still started 32 of his first 59 games in left field. Thirteen other times, he's served as Houston's designated hitter. A number that's perhaps inflated by Yordan Alvarez's monthlong absence, but still beneficial for a man who turned 35 last month. Bear in mind that Altuve started just five games last season at designated hitter. Altuve's selflessness in switching positions isn't lost on team officials, who want to reciprocate by creating as much consistency for him as possible. Performing an about-face on an agreed-upon plan is the antithesis of that. It can't be overstated, either, how much the challenge of playing somewhere new energizes Altuve. Advertisement Watching him play the position for two months demonstrates it. A sly smile will appear after he makes a catch that seemed in doubt. Some teammates have mused that Altuve is more amped after a solid defensive play than anything he produces offensively. After Altuve threw out Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh at home plate last month, Espada spent some of his postgame news conference taking umbrage with social media posts that pointed out Altuve's weak throwing arm. Altuve has bought in, so the entire ballclub has followed suit and thrown support behind him. Other underlying metrics paint a poor picture of Altuve's defense, which is undeniable. According to Sports Info Solutions, Altuve is worth fewer defensive runs saved than any left fielder in baseball. He has been worth minus-3 outs above average, according to Baseball Savant. Only six left fielders are worse. Generally, defensive metrics reward remarkable plays. Altuve hasn't made any, but it's worth examining how many chances he's had. Baseball Savant labels fly balls with a zero to 25 percent catch probability as '5-star' catches. Those with 26 to 50 percent catch probability are called '4-star.' Altuve has gotten six total chances on 5-star or 4-star balls this season. He hasn't converted any of them. Altuve has received 51 total chances in left field during his 32 starts. No left fielder with at least 30 starts has fewer — accentuating the entire point of this experiment. Getting Altuve away from the middle of most defensive action has worked. Doing so has strengthened one of Houston's most glaring weaknesses. With Altuve at second base for 146 games, Houston's infield finished last season worth minus-19 outs above average, according to Baseball Savant. After two months of this season, it is already worth plus-12. No American League infield has been worth more. Advertisement Houston does have better defensive options on its roster. Mauricio Dubón is a utility Gold Glove winner. Chas McCormick is more accomplished, though he is on the injured list with an oblique strain. Melton is a marvelous defensive center fielder with enough athleticism to translate into a corner spot, even if he had started just 17 professional games in left field before Tuesday. 'Just trying to treat it like center — I think that can ease the transition a little bit,' Melton said. 'I played the corners a decent amount in the minor leagues here, obviously more right than left. The early work I can get in before the games is going to be very important just to get some comfortability in over there.' That Melton's ailing back must still be monitored is a factor in this discussion, too. Both Espada and general manager Dana Brown have acknowledged that Melton was playing on a strict schedule at Triple-A Sugar Land to manage the injury. They'll maintain that in the major leagues, meaning Melton is a part-time player behind Altuve — a left fielder everywhere but the exhibition ballot. (Top photo of Jose Altuve: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
