Aaron Rodgers’ timeline for Steelers resolution after ‘plenty of smoke’ from NFL conferences
With the primary decide, the NFL media selects a decision to the Aaron Rodgers saga.
NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport mentioned on Monday that whereas there isn’t any official deadline, it could make sense for Rodgers to determine if he’ll signal with the Steelers by the point the NFL draft begins.
“I might not be shocked if there was an announcement from him over the following couple weeks,” Rapoport mentioned on “Good Morning Soccer.”
“It must be — theoretically — earlier than the draft, as a result of if the Steelers don’t get a solution by late April, they are going to possible draft a quarterback. In truth, they might draft a quarterback anyway.”
Pittsburgh hosted Ole Miss quarterback prospect Jaxson Dart final week and will elect to take him with the No. 21 decide.
If they’re enamored with Dart, they may choose him with or with out Rodgers in tow, nonetheless understanding the longer term Corridor of Famer’s resolution would make the draft day name simpler for the Steelers.
The Steelers are Rodgers’ last-known choice with the Vikings dedicated to JJ McCarthy and the Giants transferring on by signing Russell Wilson, who was the Steelers’ beginning quarterback final season.
“The Minnesota Vikings have been very clear that Aaron Rodgers, as of proper now, shouldn’t be an choice for them — they’re transferring full-speed forward with JJ McCarthy,” Rapoport mentioned. “There aren’t any different spots, so if Aaron Rodgers goes to play soccer in 2025, it’s going to be for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
It’s been a month because the Jets launched Rodgers and the 41-year-old nonetheless has but to announce a choice, at the same time as the remainder of the quarterback free company dominoes have fallen round him.
Whereas they’re nonetheless wanting across the market of quarterbacks — and introduced again veteran backup Mason Rudolph — the Steelers are in the end anticipating Rodgers to come back aboard.
“There was plenty of smoke about this resolution,” Rapoport mentioned. “We simply got here from the NFL house owners conferences in Palm Seashore and we had a number of Steelers individuals, together with [Steelers owner] Artwork Rooney himself, speak concerning the constructive momentum towards a deal between the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers. Principally saying that he believed it was entering into the correct course.”
Pittsburgh expects Rodgers to signal with the franchise — however how lengthy is the franchise prepared to attend?
“[Rooney] wished a choice sooner relatively than later, he’s not impatient, however finally he might be,” Rapoport added. “[Head coach] Mike Tomlin, [general manager] Omar Khan, all form of mentioned the identical factor — they’d love [Rodgers], they’d welcome him, they need him — they haven’t put a deadline on it but and they’re ready.”
It’s unclear what Rodgers is ready for, as the one different choice now appears to be retirement.
“The specter of retirement, potential retirement, doesn’t appear possible however not less than could be thought of an choice till he decides,” Rapoport mentioned.
