For weeks, the Pittsburgh Steelers have been the only team in the NFL linked to future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Following his release from the New York Jets, Rodgers did not exactly have a ton of suitors lining up to bid on his services. In fact, he was even turned down by one team, the Minnesota Vikings, after he offered to come play for them for a year and help mentor JJ McCarthy.
Despite the fact that the Steelers are the only team interested in having Rodgers on their team in 2025, the four-time NFL MVP has not signed with them. While Pittsburgh’s front office and coaches are still confident that he will sign, fans have already become anxious.
Rodgers’ interview on the Pat McAfee Show on Thursday did not help things.
Aaron Rodgers Revealed Why He Has Not Signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers
On Thursday, Rodgers appeared in his first public interview since his release from the Jets. Even though he has been in the headlines a great deal lately, much of what has been reported came from New York’s front office or coaching staff.
When Rodgers told his side of the story, it was clear that he was not very happy about flying out to meet with the Jets’ new head coach and general manager just to be informed, within 15 minutes of getting there, that they were going to release him.
He also opened up about why he has not signed with the Steelers yet. “I’m in a different phase of my life, Rodgers said. “I’m 41 years old. I’m in a serious relationship.
“To make a commitment to a team is a big thing, whether you’re a first-year player or a 20-year vet. I had a lot of great conversations with a lot of teams. Not one of those was the Jets, because that wasn’t a great conversation. [But] I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. So yeah, retirement could still be a possibility. But right now my focus is on my personal life.”
Rodgers stated that there are some people in his life going through some things, and that his focus is primarily on them. While he would not rule out signing with Pittsburgh yet this offseason, he also was quite clear that retirement is still very much on the table too.
NFL Analyst Urges the Pittsburgh Steelers to Move On from Aaron Rodgers
After Rodgers made these comments, NFL analyst Josina Anderson took to social media to urge Pittsburgh to just move on as it is clear that the future Pro Football Hall of Famer has a lot more on his plate than just finding a football team for 2025.
“Steelers find yourselves another plan,” Anderson wrote. “Like, seriously. Draft a quarterback, call the Falcons, call Tom Brady. Whatever. Do something else. Taking this long to decide (which is Aaron Rodgers’ right, but duly noted), let’s you know there will be potential for wavering waters in the well during the season, and more so amidst adversity.
“His psychological horizon is too close for comfort to count on over the entirety of the year, in my opinion. Rodgers should enjoy life, work on whatever he needs to work on, and be celebrated as the future Hall of Famer he is. If he wants to come off the couch ala Eric Weddle and save the day at the end of the season, with less load on his plate, I’m fine with that…”
The Steelers, of course, are likely going to be looking at a quarterback anyway in the upcoming draft. But Anderson also suggests that they might call the Falcons and try working out a trade for four-time Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, who was benched last year in favor of Michael Penix Jr.
Obviously, calling Brady is out of the question as he is now a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and cannot play for any NFL team.
More Pittsburgh Steelers News from Gridiron Heroics
- Rodgers Is Still the Best Option for Steelers Amid Position Depth Concerns
- Latest Aaron Rodgers Report Does Not Bode Well for Steelers
- Steelers Add Former 2nd Round Pick Before NFL Draft
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