The Pittsburgh Steelers have been entangled in a saga surrounding the 41-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers all offseason. This storyline has worn thin for many fans, but as the 2025 season inches closer, the uncertainty around the quarterback position remains a major concern. The team has yet to make a definitive move, and the longer the situation drags out, the more anxious the fan base becomes.
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Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers puts both his arms in the air to celebrate a big time touchdown at home during the 2024 NFL season.
All signs still point to Rodgers eventually joining the Steelers for the 2025 season, but the timing remains a mystery. Pittsburgh has kept quiet publicly, but behind the scenes, there's a growing sense of urgency to lock in a veteran presence at quarterback. With no clear plan in place and no other major targets in the mix, Rodgers continues to be the focal point of their offseason strategy.
On Monday, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler appeared on SportsCenter to provide the latest update on the Rodgers-Steelers situation. According to Fowler, Rodgers remains firmly on Pittsburgh’s radar, and the door is still open for a deal to be reached. However, the lack of a set timeline has made it difficult for the Steelers to move forward with confidence, leaving the franchise in a state of limbo as training camp approaches.
"People I've checked with say the Steelers remain optimistic here," Fowler said. "They have been in touch with Aaron Rodgers, but that there's still no hard and fast update. Clearly, the Steelers are respecting Aaron Rodgers' time. He had alluded in the past on The Pat McAfee Show that he had some issues in his inner circle that he wanted to work out. So the Steelers acknowledge that and are aware of those type of situations."
Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show during the height of the drama to shut down some of the rumors surrounding his situation.
The Pat McAfee Show
Former New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers Appears On The Pat McAfee Show last year.
He made it clear that he had been transparent with Pittsburgh throughout the process and insisted he wasn’t holding the Steelers hostage. Fowler added that the Steelers would ideally like to have Rodgers at Organized Team Activities, which begin on May 27.
"They have May 27 OTAs starting," Fowler said. "They would love to have him there. That gives him three weeks to potentially sign and work out with the team."
Rodgers' involvement in the Steelers' offseason plans has created an unusual situation for the franchise, one that is filled with hope, uncertainty, and frustration all at once. The front office has made it clear through its silence that Rodgers is still part of the vision, but the lack of concrete movement is making people uneasy. The Steelers don’t typically operate this way. They’re known for being stable, decisive, and focused. However, with Rodgers, they’ve found themselves wrapped in a situation that feels more like a waiting game than a football decision.
What makes this even more complicated is that the rest of the roster is not in rebuild mode. The Steelers have talent. They have a defense loaded with playmakers and a coaching staff led by Mike Tomlin who refuses to let the team slip into a rebuild.
Steelers Still Lacking Clarity Surrounding Aaron Rodgers
What they don’t have is clarity at the most important position in the sport. That is why Rodgers remains the headline. Pittsburgh is chasing him out of desperation or so it feels. They see a legitimate shot at contending in 2025 if they can plug in a capable veteran quarterback. And despite his age, Rodgers is still viewed as a guy who can get that job done in the eyes of Tomlin.
ESPN
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers looks on during a home game with the team.
Of course, the risk is obvious. Rodgers is 41, coming off an Achilles injury in 2023, and led the New York Jets to just five wins in 2024. The Steelers are trying to strike a balance between patience and urgency. They don’t want to force a move, but they also know that letting this drag out any longer could leave them in a tough spot come training camp. If Rodgers commits, the team can finally focus on building chemistry and installing the offense around him. If not, Pittsburgh may be forced to pivot quickly to Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard to battle it out. Either way, the clock is ticking.
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