The Pittsburgh Steelers may claim that they are comfortable going into the 2025 NFL season with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback, but make no mistake: they are hoping to have someone else. Of course, that someone is four-time NFL MVP quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who was released by the New York Jets earlier this offseason.
Now a free agent for the first time in his 20-year career, Rodgers is taking his sweet time deciding his next move for the 2025 season. When news broke that the Jets were planning on moving on from the future Pro Football Hall of Famer, he was linked to multiple NFL franchises by fans and analysts.
The reality, though, is that there were less than a handful of teams seriously interested in him.
Aaron Rodgers Does Not Have Any Options Outside of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Not too long ago, had Rodgers been made available via trade from the Green Bay Packers, there would have been many teams lining up to bid on him. Of course, this was after the 2021 season, a year that saw him win his second consecutive NFL MVP Award, and fourth overall.
And even after his down year in 2022, there were multiple teams interested in acquiring him. However, he had his sights set on the Jets.
Now, the team that Rodgers most desired to play for, the Minnesota Vikings, does not want him. He reached out to Minnesota after Sam Darnold left in free agency, but was told the team planned on moving forward with JJ McCarthy, who has no NFL experience and is coming off of a torn ACL.
The New York Giants expressed interest initially, but as Rodgers dragged out the process, they pivoted by signing Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson.
With New York and Minnesota out of the running, the Steelers remain as the only team interested in Rodgers for the 2025 season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers Know What Aaron Rodgers Will Decide
With Pittsburgh as the only team reportedly interested in him, Rodgers is choosing between playing for the Steelers in 2025 and retirement. And, apparently, Pittsburgh knows exactly what he is going to do, even though he has not officially made up his mind.
According to a report by Jack Markowski of Sports Illustrated, “Just by deciphering the clues and gauging the temperature of the entire situation, it would appear that Rodgers is more than likely heading to Pittsburgh for the 2025 season.”
Rodgers met with Steelers officials at their team facility a couple of weeks ago, and has held a private throwing session with two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf, whom Pittsburgh acquired earlier this offseason via trade.
During a recent appearance on “Good Morning Football,” NFL insider Ian Rapoport said, “There’s a lot of positive momentum between Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, it seems like that’s the most likely place by far, he just hasn’t come out and said it yet.”
At this point, it seems like everyone assumes that Rodgers will be starting under center for the Steelers in 2025. It just is a matter of when he decides to make it official.
More Pittsburgh Steelers News from Gridiron Heroics
- Aaron Rodgers Should Get Jets WR to Join Him with Steelers
- NFL Draft Rumors: Shedeur Sanders Could Slide to 21 and Join Steelers
- “Good Depth;” Steelers Fans React to Adding Veteran Tackle
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