The NFL confirmed that it still doesn’t know whether Aaron Rodgers will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and as a result, the quarterback was not a decisive factor in building Mike Tomlin’s team’s schedule. This was explained by Mike North, vice president of broadcast planning for the league, during an interview with CBS Sports.
“Pittsburgh at the Jets are on CBS at 1 o’clock in the afternoon in Week 1 along with seven other NFL games all at the same time. I think if the league knew, we probably would’ve scheduled that game for a national television window. So at worst, it’s Justin Fields against his old team. At best, it’s Aaron Rogers going up against one of his old teams. Look at what we did with Aaron Rogers’ first game the last two years (both Monday night games). If we knew something, I think you would’ve seen it reflected in the schedule. That being said, still a good game.”
The fact that the Steelers face the Jets in Week 1 has sparked rumors about the Super Bowl champion quarterback coming to Pittsburgh. However, the NFL had no clues to adjust the schedule.
Who will be next Steelers starting quarterback?
Aaron Rodgers would be the next quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers according to many reports, but the NFL has been very clear in stating that the game against the New York Jets does not mean the player will officially sign with the black and gold team.
That stance seems logical considering what North mentioned. If the league had known Rodgers’ future, it was practically guaranteed that the Week 1 game would have been scheduled in a prime-time slot because of everything it would involve.