NFL Insider: Aaron Rodgers Could Make Decision in 'Next Few Days' Amid Steelers Rumors
Paul Kasabian
Mar 25, 2025
Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers' decision on his football future could happen in the "next few days," per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
"My impression from talking to a lot of people involved is that, people believe this answer is coming in the near-term, maybe within the next few days here." @TomPelissero on QB Aaron Rodgers future.
Rodgers reportedly had met with the Pittsburgh Steelers for six hours on Friday, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, who added that it was a "positive visit."
Aaron Rodgers spent about six hours at the Steelers’ training facility today, meeting with their coaches. It was said to be a positive visit, and the two sides will stay in touch. pic.twitter.com/dA2BBdgQUw
On Sunday, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk added from a source that it's a "safe bet" Rodgers eventually signs with Pittsburgh.
The 41-year-old Rodgers, a four-time NFL MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler, is pondering his future after being let go by the New York Jets. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes last season for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
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Pittsburgh needs a quarterback and reportedly wants Rodgers aboard. The Steelers are coming off a 10-7 season that ended with a massive thud after a four-game losing streak to finish the regular season followed by a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.
The Steelers' offense sputtered down the stretch, but the team made a big improvement on that front this offseason, adding Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf via trade and then signing him to a five-year extension.
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Pittsburgh could use a veteran quarterback like Rodgers to work with a potentially dynamic duo in Metcalf and George Pickens. The question is what Rodgers wants at this point.
At some juncture, we'll get an answer on Rodgers, perhaps in the next few days as Pelissero reported. For now, though, the waiting game continues.
Aaron Rodgers Rumors: Steelers 'Aggressively Pursuing' QB After 6-Hour Meeting
Adam Wells
Mar 22, 2025
Coming out of their first in-person meeting with Aaron Rodgers, the Pittsburgh Steelers are doing all they can to get the four-time NFL MVP to sign with them.
Appearing on SportsCenter, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said the Steelers are "aggressively pursuing" Rodgers after he met with head coach Mike Tomlin, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and general manager Omar Khan on Friday.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday's meeting between Rodgers and the Steelers lasted six hours, with the two sides expected to stay in touch.
Even though NFL Network's Tom Pelissero noted the Steelers have had contract parameters in place "for weeks" with Rodgers, money wasn't a discussion point during their meeting.
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There was also no expectation that a deal was going to get done on Friday. Rodgers certainly seems to be the No. 1 quarterback option for Pittsburgh.
Pelissero said on The Rich Eisen Show that it would be surprising to see Russell Wilson back with the Steelers at this point (starts at 1:55 mark).
The Steelers reportedly wanted to bring back Justin Fields as their starter before the New York Jets blew him away with a two-year, $40 million contract.
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There's also some thought they would be comfortable with Mason Rudolph being their starter in 2025 if it came to that, suggesting Wilson was no better than the No. 4 option for the Steelers.
A marriage between Rodgers and the Steelers would certainly make for interesting television. DK Metcalf and George Pickens are terrific talents at wide receiver, but precise route-running isn't their strength and Rodgers demands that from his pass-catchers.
On the other hand, Metcalf and Pickens are two of the most explosive big-play receivers in the NFL. The best thing Rodgers did last season with the New York Jets was throw the ball deep.
The Steelers finished 10-7 and made the playoffs with Wilson as their primary starting quarterback last season. They lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game.
Pittsburgh has lost six straight playoff games dating back to the 2016 AFC Championship Game, tied with the Miami Dolphins for the longest active streak in the NFL.
NFL Rumors: Steelers Will Draft QB 'High' in 2025 or 2026 Even if Aaron Rodgers Signs
Doric Sam
Mar 21, 2025
As the Pittsburgh Steelers continue to wait on a decision from veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, they reportedly still have an eye on the future.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported on Friday's episode of Get Up that the Steelers are likely to use a high draft pick this year or in 2026 to select a quarterback even if Rodgers signs with them this offseason.
"This is why teams that have a quarterback who's in the top half of the league pay them $50, $60 million, whatever they want, because life in the middle is rough. The Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced that since Ben Roethlisberger left," Fowler explained. "They can't find a solution, but my sense is they will go heavy on the draft, they will draft a quarterback high, if not this year, then next year, because Aaron Rodgers clearly is a one-year bridge."
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The Steelers have shown little interest in re-signing 2024 starting quarterback Russell Wilson while they await a decision from Rodgers. They also lost backup quarterback Justin Fields to the open market, as he signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets to be Rodgers' replacement. Pittsburgh signed Mason Rudolph this offseason, but he's not viewed as a viable starter.
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With the No. 21 pick in this year's draft, the Steelers likely won't have the chance to select Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado signal-caller Shedeur Sanders. In the B/R NFL Scouting Department's latest mock draft, Pittsburgh is projected to select Oregon defensive lineman Derrick Harmon, though it was noted that other quarterback prospects could be in play.
"Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, Ohio State's Will Howard and Alabama's Jalen Milroe could and should be seen as reaches at this juncture," the scouting department wrote. "Instead, Pittsburgh adheres to its identity and finds a high-level defensive prospect in Oregon's Derrick Harmon."
Still, it sounds like the Steelers would be content to wait until the 2026 draft to add a franchise quarterback if they fail to land one this year.
NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers 'or Bust for' Steelers; Mason Rudolph is Contingency Plan
Adam Wells
Mar 21, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are all-in with their efforts to make Aaron Rodgers their quarterback in 2025.
During an appearance on Friday's episode of Get Up, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said it's Rodgers "or bust for" the Steelers and they're in position to wait on his decision because Mason Rudolph is their contingency plan if it doesn't work out:
"I'm hearing the Pittsburgh Steelers are in a position to wait on Aaron Rodgers. Talking to people around the league, Pittsburgh is the most likely to wait this out. They have a standing offer out to Rodgers, and they already have their contingency plan in the building in Mason Rudolph, a quarterback they drafted and developed over the years. They can play him in a pinch, but they're not looking at a lot of other options right now. It seems to be Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh."
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Rudolph, who spent his first six seasons with the Steelers from 2018 to '23, returned to the organization this offseason by signing a two-year contract in free agency.
Last season with the Tennessee Titans, Rudolph went 1-4 in five starts. He threw for 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
The Steelers are in a difficult position when it comes to their quarterback, at least compared to other teams still looking for help at the position. They first draft pick isn't until No. 21 overall.
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By comparison, other quarterback-needy teams like the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants pick second and third, respectively. While it seems unlikely both of them will take quarterbacks that high just given the lack of options, assuming Cam Ward goes No. 1 overall, it's at least on the table for them in a way it's not for Pittsburgh.
The fact that the Steelers have gone this deep into free agency without pivoting to another option like Russell Wilson, who is also being courted by the Giants and Browns, is an indication Rodgers is their preferred target.
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Pittsburgh does have a tantalizing package to offer Rodgers at this stage of his career. Head coach Mike Tomlin has a proven track record of success regardless of who the quarterback is.
The addition of DK Metcalf gives the Steelers a dynamic receiving duo, pairing him with George Pickens. Their defense has finished in the top 10 in points allowed in each of the past three seasons.
With the Minnesota Vikings reportedly deciding not to pursue Rodgers and go with J.J. McCarthy as their starter, the Steelers are the best situation for the four-time MVP to walk into if he wants the chance to compete for a playoff spot in 2025.
A free agent for the first time in his career after being released by the New York Jets, Rodgers threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts last season.
Najee Harris Says Steelers 'Didn’t Know Anything on Offense,' Team Had No 'Identity'
Paul Kasabian
Mar 20, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers' offensive struggles and problems have been well-documented over the past few years, and ex-Steelers running back (and current Los Angeles Charger) Najee Harris provided his thoughts on the matters in an interview with KCAL (h/t Matthew Luciow).
“It was just a team where we lost Ben. We lost a lot of O-line,” Harris said (h/t Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk). “We just didn’t know anything on offense, really. We didn't have any identity. We had a young guy coming in at quarterback. I was young. The team was young. I really didn’t have nobody to almost learn from on the offensive side. I think the veteran guy on that team was like a two-, three-year vet. He’s still learning himself."
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Harris joined the team as a rookie for the 2021 season, which also marked six-time Pro Bowl quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's final NFL campaign.
Pittsburgh was 21st in scoring in 2021 before falling to 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada was fired in Nov. 2023.
The Steelers' offense certainly made improvements under OC Arthur Smith in 2024 under quarterbacks Justin Fields and then Russell Wilson before finishing 16th in scoring. However, the offense sputtered down the stretch, scoring fewer than 20 points in six of the final eight games, including playoffs (and all of the last four).
It didn't help that the team played quarterback roulette, with five players (Kenny Pickett, Mitch Trubisky, Mason Rudolph, Fields and Wilson) starting games from 2022-2024.
Harris still plodded along, rushing for 1,000 or more yards in each of his four seasons. Now he'll go to an offense with promise and stability in Los Angeles, which has a star quarterback in Justin Herbert and a smart offensive mind in Jim Harbaugh running the show.
Video: Jalen Milroe Runs 4.37u 40-Yard Dash at Alabama Pro Day amid Steelers Rumors
Adam Wells
Mar 19, 2025
One of the most intriguing players in the 2025 NFL draft took center stage on Wednesday when Jalen Milroe participated in Alabama's pro day.
Following Milroe's combine performance earlier this month, B/R's NFL scouting department ranked him as the fifth-best quarterback in the class and No. 79 overall player.
A big talking point about Milroe coming out of the combine, per The Athletic's Bruce Feldman, was he told a team he could run the 40 in 4.3 seconds.
Milroe's unofficial 40 time on Wednesday wasn't quite that fast, but it was close at 4.37 seconds.
Milroe: "A lot of people wanted me to run. ... I gave everybody what they wanted. My goal was to get in the 4.3s, so goal completed." https://t.co/45UZN8IDcX
Among the teams in Tuscaloosa to watch the Crimson Tide prospects, including Milroe, are the Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Mike Tomlin was reportedly among the notable NFL personnel in the building.
It's not a surprise Tomlin was there in person, as NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Milroe had dinner with a Steelers contingent on Tuesday night that included Tomlin, general manager Omar Khan and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth.
There is some dispute about Milroe's 40 time, which is still unofficial at this point. The Athletic's Jeff Howe noted some scouts clocked it in the mid-4.4 range.
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NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah and Albert Breer of MMQB reported the same:
From scout at Bama pro day--
Milroe 4.44/4.49 (weave on both runs)
Booker improved 10 time from combine (1.96 in Indy, 1.87 today)
Checked in with 4 teams at Alabama's Pro Day, and three had QB Jalen Milroe at 4.45 another had him at 4.44. That's still really, REALLY good for a 216-pound QB, if not what quite what's floating around. It came on his second run (I got 4.48 and 4.51 for times on the first run).
Only three quarterbacks took part in the 40-yard dash at the combine. Milroe's time, whether it ends up being 4.37 seconds or in the mid-4.4s, would easily be better than any of the quarterbacks who ran in Indianapolis.
Missouri's Brady Cook topped the list at 4.59 seconds, followed by Louisville's Tyler Shough (4.63 seconds) and Memphis' Seth Henigan (4.76 seconds).
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If Milroe's time was 4.37 seconds, it would be the second-fastest 40 ever recorded for a quarterback. Michael Vick was timed at 4.33 seconds in 2001 en route to being drafted No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons.
Of course, there's a lot more to the quarterback position than just speed. This is where Milroe has a lot of work to do convincing NFL teams he can translate his tools into being a good starter at the next level.
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In his scouting report about Milroe, B/R's Dame Parson noted the Alabama star can be "too eager to pull the ball down and bail out of clean pockets" and struggles with anticipating throwing windows.
Among the positive traits for Milroe, according to Parson, is "dynamic arm talent" and the ability to create big plays in the running game. This was evident on his college tape with 1,257 rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons.
Parson's comparison was "shades of Jalen Hurts with a jet pack & stronger arm." Things have worked out just fine for the Philadelphia Eagles after they were criticized for using a second-round pick on Hurts in the 2020 draft.
The Steelers would be a nice landing spot for Milroe, particularly if they are able to sign Aaron Rodgers, because it would give him a year to develop before potentially moving into a starting role in 2026.
Milroe could also be a better value pick for the Steelers in the second round than Jaxson Dart, who is gaining steam as a first-round pick, even though the Ole Miss star might be even further away from being an NFL-caliber starter because of the offensive system he played in under head coach Lane Kiffin.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are "getting closer" to a resolution about their quarterback situation, according to NFL insider Josina Anderson.
Anderson reported the sense of optimism in Pittsburgh "pertained to Aaron Rodgers."
Earlier reporting has cast some doubt on whether the four-time MVP will wind up in the Steel City, with the New York Giants in a similar position.
The Athletic's Michael Silver, Dianna Russini and Alec Lewis reported last Saturday that Rodgers "has essentially put both teams on hold while he waits for clarity regarding the Vikings' situation."
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler followed up Sunday to report on SportsCenter the Steelers and Giants have each presented "standing offers" with no clear picture of when he'd decide.
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Then on Tuesday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on his podcast that Rodgers has "balked" at Pittsburgh and New York's interest and "resisted their overtures."
Understandably, Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Hayward said on his Not Just Football podcast (via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk) he's "tired of talking about the quarterback situation."
Heyward added he doesn't intend to personally lobby Rodgers to help seal the deal.
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"I ain't doing that darkness retreat. I don't need any of that crap," he said. "Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don't. That's simple, that's the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that's the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers—if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don't, no skin off my back."
Signing Rodgers would give Pittsburgh a starting quarterback, which is something the team doesn't have right now. It's safe to say the ship has sailed on Mason Rudolph ever becoming a viable QB1.
Whether Rodgers is worth the hassle is another matter. He's coming off one of the worst seasons in his legendary career, and his two years with the New York Jets were a circus on and off the field.
Even at his best, the 10-time Pro Bowler may not be much of an upgrade over what Pittsburgh had with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson in 2024.
If Aaron Rodgers wants to be wined and dined by the teams pursuing him in free agency, he might want to steer clear of Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cam Heyward.
Appearing on the Not Just Football podcast (starts at 12:00 mark), Heyward called out Rodgers for the darkness retreat "crap" and said his recruiting pitch to the four-time NFL MVP would consist of saying "either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t."
"That’s simple, that’s the pitch," he added. "If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers—if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back."
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The Steelers are one of three teams Rodgers is considering joining, along with the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants.
The report also noted Rodgers could decide to retire if the Vikings don't want him, rather than play for the Steelers or Giants.
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Pittsburgh is essentially at the mercy of Rodgers right now. Russell Wilson is a fallback option as he also remains unsigned, but he at least seems to be trying to force the Steelers to make a decision by visiting with the Giants and Cleveland Browns last week.
The Giants at least have the potential to select one of the top quarterbacks in the 2025 draft with the No. 3 overall pick. There were also rumblings they could try to trade up for the No. 1 pick, though that is starting to look like less of a possibility.
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Pittsburgh is stuck in no man's land when it comes to quarterbacks because its first pick doesn't come until No. 21 overall. Both Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders—the top two quarterbacks in the 2025 class—are expected to be off the board before that pick comes up.
Rodgers is arguably the best of the available free-agent options, but there's no definite timetable for when he might make a decision. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport noted on Monday there's a possibility he could wait until the draft.
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: Two years ago, we all were still talking about Aaron Rodgers during NFL Draft week. Could history repeat itself? pic.twitter.com/Wg932uKNOv
Rapoport pointed out two years ago Rodgers still hadn't been officially traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets until draft day, but a key difference is everyone knew he was going to the Jets because he said he intended to play for them.
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This situation involves three teams waiting for Rodgers' decision, two of which don't have an obvious starter currently on their roster. The Vikings at least have the benefit of 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy on the roster.
It's hard to imagine the Steelers waiting that long to figure out the quarterback position for 2025, but they may not have a choice if he's their preferred target and still available.
Heyward's not wrong for feeling the way that he does, but history has shown teams will bend over backwards to accommodate a quarterback they think can help make them a contender.
NFL Rumors: 'Nobody' with Steelers 'Believes' Aaron Rodgers' Camp That QB Chose Them
Adam Wells
Mar 14, 2025
Until Aaron Rodgers puts pen to paper on a contract, the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't taking any bait that he has already landed on them as his next team.
On the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast, The Athletic's Dianna Russini explained that "nobody" with the Steelers "believes" the stories from Rodgers' camp that he has picked them.
Aaron Rodgers is intrigued by the possibility of playing for the Vikings.
Rodgers, who was released by the New York Jets on Wednesday, is a free agent for the first time in his storied career. His list of potential landing spots appears to be down to the Steelers, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings.
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The Steelers and Giants have long been rumored as options for Rodgers given their obvious need at quarterback. The Vikings were a late addition into the mix because it's been assumed J.J. McCarthy would get the job after they let Sam Darnold leave in free agency.
ESPN's Kevin Seifert reported on Wednesday the Vikings "have at least been entertaining the possibility internally" of signing Rodgers.
Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Giants have "essentially told" Rodgers they want him to be their starting quarterback.
The Giants are also believed to have made the largest contract offer to Rodgers, per Russini.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted the Steelers have extended an offer to Rodgers and they are just waiting for an answer.
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Everything at this point seems to be down to Rodgers deciding what he wants to do and what the best fit for him would be at this stage of his career. The Vikings are the best situation based on their success with Darnold last season, in addition to offering the opportunity to play with an offensive play-calling head coach in Kevin O'Connell and arguably the NFL's best wide receiver in Justin Jefferson.
The Giants have Malik Nabers and could add another dynamic playmaker to their offense with the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft.
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Pittsburgh offers organizational stability, led by head coach Mike Tomlin. The team also has one of the most talented receiving duos in the league after acquiring D.K. Metcalf to play alongside George Pickens.
Tomlin has led the Steelers to the playoffs four times in the last five seasons, but they haven't won a postseason game since January 2017. Mason Rudolph, who agreed to a two-year, $8 million deal on Thursday, is currently the only quarterback on their roster.
Rodgers is coming off a disappointing two-year run with the Jets. He was able to play all 17 games last season after rupturing his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 campaign.
The 41-year-old threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and completed 63.0 percent of his attempts for the Jets in 2024.
Pittsburgh hasn't had a quarterback throw for at least 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns in a season since Ben Roethlisberger in 2020.
Report: Mason Rudolph Lands Steelers Contract amid Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson Buzz
Doric Sam
Mar 13, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers reportedly added a quarterback on Thursday, but probably not the one many were expecting.
While the Steelers are still waiting for a decision from veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers and considering the possibility of bringing back 2024 starter Russell Wilson, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported that they signed quarterback Mason Rudolph to a two-year, $8 million contract with $4.5 million guaranteed.
Rudolph spent the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans, and Garafolo noted that he "mulled multiple offers, including a return to the Titans." He ultimately opted for a reunion with the Steelers, with whom he spent the first six years of his career after being drafted with a third-round pick in 2018. Garafolo added that Rudolph "was motivated to head back to Pittsburgh."
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The 29-year-old appeared in eight games with five starts during his lone year in Tennessee and threw for 1,530 yards, nine touchdowns and nine interceptions while also adding a rushing score. The Titans went 1-4 in games he started and finished with a 3-14 record, earning the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
Rudolph is now the only quarterback on the Steelers roster. Pittsburgh lost backup quarterback Justin Fields to free agency after he signed a two-year deal with the New York Jets. Now, the team is playing the waiting game with Rodgers.
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Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazettereported on Wednesday that the Steelers made an offer to Rodgers, but the 41-year-old is taking his time before making his decision. Dulac added that the delay "is not about money."
While Pittsburgh waits for Rodgers, the team reportedly has put Wilson on the back burner. Paul Schwartz of the New York Postreported on Wednesday that "a source said the Steelers have not spoken with Wilson about a reunion."
For now, Pittsburgh will have to be satisfied with the addition of Rudolph as it continues to seek improvements in free agency.
