Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make up his mind before making any decision at quarterback. With the four-time NFL MVP still contemplating his future, the team isn’t rushing to choose its starter for the 2025 season.
However, that doesn’t mean the Steelers will spend their entire offseason without knowing who will be under center in September. Therefore, it appears that Rodgers may already know for how long he can keep Tomlin and company on hold.
Nick Farabaugh of PennLive.com suggests that the deadline could be April 21st, when the Steelers can start their offseason workouts. While the reporter understands that Rodgers has already skipped those activities in the past, pushing this move would only affect his chemistry with new teammates.
“April 21st would begin the process to get those intricate processes down. Rodgers knows it this is going to work, everyone has to be on the same page with his system, and so that date seems about right if he is going to sign with a team. Rodgers, 41, does not have to play for that reason,” Farabaugh wrote.
Russell Wilson #3 and Justin Fields #2 look on as head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers embrace after the game at Acrisure Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
“Embarking into a new offense and learning those concepts as well as meshing it with his own takes time and work. Yet, Rodgers’ unique quirks are so different than other quarterbacks and require time with the offensive skill players that the April 21st date seems to be right for a potential deadline on his signing.“
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NFL News: Aaron Rodgers receives clear message and warning from key player for Mike Tomlin, Steelers ahead of final decision
Rodgers already visited the Steelers
While Rodgers’ intentions for the 2025 NFL season remain uncertain, he recently gave Tomlin and Pittsburgh reasons for optimism, with the veteran quarterback visiting the Steelers’ facility on Friday.
A-Rod left with no deal done, but his mere presence in the Steel City could be a sign of hope. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Rodgers hasn’t visited another team since leaving the New York Jets. Besides, it appears that this visit wasn’t planned at all.
“My understanding is that this was kind of a last-minute type of a thing,” Pelissero said. “He spent some time with coaches. He’s been talking to people in the organization for a while. There have been certainly a lot of signs that he’s seriously considering playing his 21st season in Pittsburgh. This is the first time though that Aaron Rodgers has taken an actual visit to a team.
“There’s no deal done. There’s no deal imminent. It’s not like he was coming in to sign. He popped in. He spent time with coaches and spent time around the facility. This thus set the table to potentially make a decision and set off the rest of the dominoes across the quarterback market.”
Aaron Rodgers walks off the field after a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium on October 20, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Tomlin, Steelers have alternatives to Rodgers
In the meantime, the Steelers haven’t stayed completely put. Rodgers may be their priority target, but the team has already prepared for a scenario where the 41-year-old doesn’t come to town.
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NFL News: Aaron Rodgers has reportedly made his final decision on signing with Steelers
Apart from bringing back Mason Rudolph to have an experienced player in the QB room, Tomlin was among a group of Steelers members who met Jalen Milroe ahead of his Pro Day at Alabama. With the 21st overall pick, the 2025 NFL Draft could give Pittsburgh another alternative to add a quarterback. Russell Wilson, who started for the team last year, could also be a name to watch as he’s still in the open market.
