Aaron Rodgers‘ silence continues to fuel the months-long speculation about his future in the NFL. Even though A-Rod may already know what kind of contract to expect with Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers, the Minnesota Vikings are still seen as a potential landing spot for the 41-year-old.
The Steelers, however, don’t seem to be worried about this situation. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Tomlin and company believe that Rodgers will end up moving to Pittsburgh for the 2025 NFL season.
“I’m told from the Steelers they do remain optimistic,” Fowler said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Sunday, via Bleacher Report. “But nothing has changed from when Art Rooney, team president, addressed the media at the owners meetings on Tuesday that they feel good about this shaking out that Rodgers will be a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
A couple of actions from Rodgers this offseason have given the Steelers reasons for optimism. Not only did the quarterback met Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan during a visit to the team’s facility in March, but he also had a throwing session with DK Metcalf after the Steelers traded for the wideout.
Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets looks on during warmups before the first half of a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on August 19, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Rodgers hit the open market after a two-year stint with the New York Jets, and even though retirement is still on the cards, the Steelers believe they’ll be the team with whom he spends a 21st season in the NFL.
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Potential date for Rodgers’ signing with Steelers
Speaking at the NFL annual meetings last week, Steelers owner Art Rooney looked confident about getting Rodgers after getting “positive signals” from the quarterback. However, he also clarified that the team won’t wait him “forever.”
Therefore, Fowler reports that people with knowledge of the situation believe Rodgers may have guaranteed Tomlin and the Steelers that he will eventually join their ranks. And the insider believes that his confirmation could come before the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Have not gotten definitive word, but they’re willing to wait ‘a little while longer.’ That has really been the case for a few weeks now but talking to people that have been involved in the quarterback market in the last couple of months, they believe that the Steelers must’ve gotten some sort of assurance at some point from Rodgers that he’s going to sign eventually. So, we should see some movement between now and the draft, potentially.“
Vikings not expected to sign Rodgers
What about the Vikings? Minnesota emerged as a potential destination for Rodgers as the four-time NFL MVP reportedly showed interest in a return to the NFC North.
However, this option appears to be unlikely. While Rodgers may have already realized the Vikings are sticking to J.J. McCarthy, Fowler believes the team isn’t even thinking about this possibility at this point of the offseason.
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“The Minnesota Vikings, is he waiting them out? That is sort of a lingering question out there but when I talk to people with the Vikings, this is all but dead for them essentially. Maybe if he’s available later in the summer they would revisit but that just seems unlikely at this point. So, it’s Steelers, retirement or bust,” Fowler added.
