NFL Rumors: Aaron Rodgers’ Desperation for Steelers Revealed as Mike Tomlin Refuses to Revisit Contract Offer

At this point, it feels like Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers are playing some sort of a game. At least the quarterback is. It will be over six weeks now since the 41-year-old packed his bags from New York. However, he has still not confirmed just where he would land yet despite his options being as clear as a sunny day– The Pitts or retirement given the Minnesota Vikings, his preferred destination, don’t go with him. Yet, here we are, with the entire NFL world, frustrated to a core to get one decision out of Rodgers.

It’s not like he has not reached out to these teams. In fact, he has his contract details worked up with the Pitts. He has met them. Mike Tomlin has, in fact, even said that the conversations between the Steel City franchise and Aaron’s camp have been positive. And yet, Rodgers, despite spending hours with the team, has returned to silent mode. But now, it is him who needs to act fast.

Because in the saga where he keeps waiting for Kevin O’Connell’s call, the Giants have already left. And while Tomlin has clearly shown patience of a lifetime, it is the 4x All Pro who longer has time. While we clearly don’t see where this story is going, the Raiders‘ All-Pro Maxx Crosby predicted how this Rodgers-Steelers saga would conclude.

Recently, on The Rush Podcast, Maxx gave his opinion in what the decision is going to be for Rodgers. “I’ve been saying it. The fact that he’s not with Davante [Adams], and that he’s not very familiar with Pittsburgh. I don’t know. I feel like he retires. He’s about 42 now.” 

It is not hard to believe why the former Jets superstar would want to call it a day. In a professional career spanning two decades, Rodgers has a boastful resume. Sweeping a super bowl and 10 Pro Bowls with his only team so far in New York, Aaron has 4 All-Pro honors that go with his 4 AP NFL MVP titles. However, we can’t ignore the elephant in the room.

At first, The Athletic reported that Rodgers would consider retirement if the Vikings wouldn’t sign him. Well, here we are. Secondly, the Giants have already signed Jameis Winston and Russell Wilson after waiting for long for Rodgers. And in the latest input, the four-time MVP visited the Steelers’ facility, which turned out to be a six-hour-long meeting with Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith. The kicker?

Well, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the meeting was set by Rodgers and not the Steelers. “Aaron basically invited himself on a visit late last week,” Pelissero said on the Jim Rome Show. “He was in the building for several hours, he watched tape with the coaches. This deal has been in place contract-wise for weeks. They’ve discussed parameters. This is not going to be a financial issue at all for Aaron Rodgers. If it gets done, it’s going to be a 1-year deal.”

Even Tomlin, coming in front of the media after the league meetings in Palm Beach last Sunday mentioned that it was a “really good day.” But then why is Rodgers not announcing his decision already? Moreover, why are the Steelers still studying the draft and free agency prospects so closely? And as Pelissero mentioned, it is not about the money. Then, it’s just that simple– Pittsburg wants a QB and Aaron wants a team.

That means only one thing. Even though the rumor mill was buzzing that Rodgers would hang up his cleats rather than play one more season, the man arranged a meeting with the Steelers for a deal—at least, that’s what he made us all believe. Sure, the contract terms are not revealed or finalized yet, but one thing’s for sure: whether Rodgers is desperate to join Pittsburgh or not, this Rodgers-Steelers saga isn’t done yet. Not so easily. Until he responds or calls it quits.

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Because on the flip side, the Pittsburgh team is sticking with their offer for Rodgers.

Aaron Rodgers’ pursuit is still up in the air

A lot has changed since the start of the free agency and in the time being. At the beginning of the free agency, Pittsburgh reportedly offered a contract to Rodgers. Fast forward and as we’re about to turn the calendar to April, there’s still no update on a deal between the parties. To top that off, during his recent visit to the Steelers’ facility, the franchise has reportedly offered a contract close to the previous one.

Translation? Mike Tomlin and his crew aren’t raising the contract terms for Rodgers. See it this way: At the start of the free agency, the 41-year-old veteran QB was on negotiation terms with the Vikings and the Giants as well. Now that the Vikings are moving ahead with J.J. McCarthy as their starting QB and the Big Blue has already signed a couple of vets, there’s still no raise in contract terms. That’s something worth noting.

But let’s not kid ourselves—at this point in his career (with a sweet career earning of $380M), Rodgers is surely looking for the right fit instead of a high payday—of course, if he’s not considering calling it a career. But why hasn’t a deal gone down yet? Well, according to NFL Insider, James Palmer, people in the Steelers organization are curious about how the team’s O-line would work under Rodgers.

“What’s fascinating, and talking to people in that building, is how is this gonna go down if he does get there?” Palmer said on Wednesday on Bleacher Report’s YouTube. “Is this gonna be Aaron’s offense? Is this gonna be Arthur Smith’s offense? Both of them are very firm and very hard-headed. I don’t think Arthur’s gonna back down to him by any stretch, and maybe that’s what Aaron needs.” He’s not wrong, though.

Because if Pittsburgh’s last season has taught us anything, then it’s a rocky relationship between Smith and Wilson. And Mike Tomlin surely doesn’t want that. After all, it’s been years since they’ve had a potential signal caller on their team. And to top that off, they’re still chasing that seventh Lombardi.