PITTSBURGH (AP) — Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin are elevating their long-standing rapport to new heights.
The four-time NFL MVP remarked, “What about him?” Speculation arose as he signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the 41-year-old looking to make an impact.
The connection between the Steelers and Rodgers had been brewing for months. He visited the team’s facility in late March, arriving incognito in a sedan while donning a hat and sunglasses.
During his visit, numerous positive comments emerged from both sides, but Rodgers was not in a rush to finalize the agreement. We are set to release the “Pat McCuffy Show” in April. His priority was to support individuals in his circle facing challenging situations, and he wanted to ensure he could fully commit before making a decision.
Now that mandatory minicamp is approaching next week, it seems Rodgers is ready to dedicate his full attention to the Steelers.
Rodgers joins a team that has struggled to find a stable quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement in 2021. Either Rodgers or Mason Rudolph, who agreed to return on a two-year contract in March, will be the Steelers’ Week 1 quarterback for the fifth consecutive year.
Amid constant changes in crucial positions, the Steelers have remained competitive. Pittsburgh has reached the playoffs four times in the last five seasons, though each time they were quickly eliminated.
Last season, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson both finished in New York, with Wilson helping the Steelers to a 10-7 record and a playoff spot. Fields replaced Rodgers with a jet plane after signing a two-year contract, while Wilson headed to the Giants on a one-year deal.
These developments left Rodgers and the Steelers with limited options, leading to a mutually beneficial partnership.
Rodgers seeks to craft a more positive conclusion to their tumultuous, Hall of Fame careers, despite experiencing challenges with the Jets. While Rodgers may not be a long-term answer in Pittsburgh, he stands as the best available option after the Steelers chose not to utilize one of their higher draft picks on a quarterback in April.
This partnership also unites Rodgers and Tomlin, the longest-tenured head coaches in major professional sports across North America.
They have long shared mutual respect and often communicated positively. Last fall, during a timeout, Rodgers jokingly engaged with Tomlin as a gesture of respect when Tomlin was forced to use one.
Pittsburgh hopes Rodgers will maintain his physical condition while showcasing his elite football IQ. He performed adequately, if not exceptionally, in New York last season, throwing 28 touchdowns to 11 interceptions.
However, on-field performance often took a back seat to the team drama as the Jets navigated through coaching changes and finished with a 5-12 record.
Pittsburgh is no stranger to drama. Since their last Super Bowl appearance, which ended in defeat to Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers in February 2011, they have demonstrated an ability to recruit talented players.
The roster includes a history of noteworthy trades, ranging from Roethlisberger to Antonio Brown, Le’Veon Bell, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and George Pickens.
This offseason, Pittsburgh made strides to acquire Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf from Seattle. The Steelers quickly inked him to a new five-year deal, aiming to establish stability in a receiver corps that has faced inconsistency.
Nonetheless, they did not replicate this strategic move at the quarterback position. Tomlin and team president Art Rooney II kept discussions open regarding Fields and Wilson.
While the Steelers have resigned Rudolph, he is not expected to lead the team on an unlikely playoff run, instead taking on a backup role.
The pool of experienced players ultimately led to Rodgers as the chosen option.
His arrival serves as a stopgap, as Pittsburgh aims to remain competitive until a long-term solution emerges in the 2026 draft. In the meantime, Rodgers and the Steelers look to maximize this advantageous collaboration.
___
AP Pro football writer Rob Maddy contributed to this report.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Source: apnews.com