While many feel that all signs point to free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, a legend of the franchise is skeptical that he actually wants to suit up for the Black & Gold.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said on his Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger podcast that he’s not convinced that Rodgers has a desire to play for Pittsburgh despite his positive meeting with the team last month and his throwing session with receiver DK Metcalf. Roethlisberger instead suggested that Rodgers is still eyeing the Minnesota Vikings as his next landing spot.
“I think Aaron [Rodgers] is secretly still holding out for Minnesota—which is why he hasn’t signed with the Steelers,” Roethlisberger said, per Andrew Vasquez of Yahoo Sports. “Why else would you go throw with DK and working out, and blast it to everybody that ‘I’m throwing to these guys,’ but you won’t sign?”
The Vikings had conversations with Rodgers earlier this offseason but ultimately chose to commit to 2024 No. 10 pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season with a torn meniscus. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah didn’t rule out the possibility of revisiting discussions with Rodgers, but he indicated that the team has moved on.
“For me to sit here and say that anything’s 100 percent forever, that’s just not the job,” Adofo-Mensah said last week, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert. “We’re responding to scenarios and different information as it comes. So obviously things can change, but right now we’re really happy with our [quarterback] room and we’re going to look to upgrade it in different ways.”
The Steelers have been left in a holding pattern while they wait for Rodgers to make his decision. Some feel Pittsburgh will use the No. 21 pick in the 2025 NFL draft later this month to address the quarterback position regardless of whether Rodgers joins the team. Perhaps the 41-year-old will continue to wait to see if situations with other teams change before training camp starts.