Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Leaks Huge Hint To Pittsburgh That It's Time To Address Their Highest Offseason Priority

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been at the center of attention this offseason, with several big moves that have significantly changed their roster and created widespread conversation across the league. From trades, to veteran free agent signings, the Steelers have made an effort to stay competitive, while also building toward the future. However, as the dust begins to settle on many of those big changes, the Steelers appear to be shifting their focus internally.

It’s no surprise that one of the biggest, if not the biggest, move for the Steelers this offseason was the acquisition of veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Recently, Rodgers appeared on The Pat McAfee Show, where he talked about a wide range of topics related to his new team. While speaking about the leadership within the organization, Rodgers dropped a subtle hint that another major move could be happening soon, one that many Steelers fans have been hoping for.

"I think that's the thing that's really exciting about Pittsburgh, is the built-in leadership that already exists there," Rodgers began. "And once we get our Hall of Fame outside rush backer signed... You know you're talking about another guy who is a leader."

Yes, Rodgers hinted that a potential contract extension for star edge rusher TJ Watt could be on the way. Watt has been a key piece of the Steelers' defense and one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Since being drafted by Pittsburgh in 2017, Watt has spent his entire career with the organization, becoming not only a leader on the field, but also a fan favorite.

The contract negotiations with Watt have become a major talking point, largely because of no confirmed updates, something that often means something isn't going well. Watt’s current contract is set to expire at the end of the upcoming season, putting pressure on both sides to work out a deal sooner rather than later. His absence from all offseason programs so far has only added to the speculation and concern, as people question what this means for the future of one of the team’s most important players.

Several reasons have been reported for the issues surrounding the delay, but the main one seems to be money. Reports suggest that the Steelers have already made an offer to Watt, so there’s a possibility that the two sides are closer to an agreement than many initially believed. When Watt signed his last contract extension, he became the highest-paid defensive player in the league, and it’s likely he’s aiming to reclaim that title with this next deal.

That title currently belongs to Myles Garrett, the Cleveland Browns’ edge rusher and division rival of the Steelers. Garrett signed a four-year, $160 million extension with the Browns this offseason. Throughout their careers, Garrett and Watt have frequently been compared, with Watt often having the edge in stats. Therefore, it’s not unreasonable for Watt to want a contract that matches, or even exceeds, Garrett’s deal, even if it's a big number.

Steelers Have The Money To Make The Move

Despite all the large moves the Steelers have made this offseason, they still have financial space. Compared to other teams, the Steelers don't have as many large contracts, which leaves them with valuable salary cap space. This puts them in a strong position to make another big move, especially when it comes to someone as important as Watt, who remains one of the most crucial players on the roster.

The Steelers may not have another huge contract negotiation in the coming years, making the potential Watt deal even more important. While re-signing Watt would come at a high price, it ultimately comes down to value. At the end of the day, the NFL is a business, and many believe the Steelers need to change their approach in order to keep key players like Watt. Rodgers’ recent comments offer fans a renewed sense of optimism, but whether or not a deal gets done will be confirmed through time.

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