It’s been over a month since Aaron Rodgers visited the Steelers‘ facility, spent 6 hours chatting with their top brass, and came out empty-handed. Nobody knows why he still hasn’t signed any deal yet. That has led to many potentially questioning if he is really going to Steel City. Or Rodgers is still waiting to call himself a Viking. Well, right now, it’s difficult to decipher what is actually going on behind the scenes. But the latest Steelers activity suggests that Rodgers’ trip to Pittsburgh is still very much on.

All 32 teams with key members from their top brass were reportedly present in Boulder to see Shedeur Sanders closely. But the Steelers’ front office? Completely missing. No Mike Tomlin or Omar Khan. Not even any positional coach, coordinator or any high-ranking executive was there to see Sanders. Only their area scout, Kelvin Fisher, was there as a sole representative just for the sake of attendance. This shows their clear lack of interest in drafting Sanders.

Now, they can also host him in the next two weeks. But considering none of the bosses have shown a strong interest in drafting Sanders, it probably won’t happen. Sanders, who is a top QB prospect in this year’s weak QB class, is expected to go anywhere between the 2nd overall to the 20th. And with the Steelers positioned at 21st, the possibility of Sanders falling on their lap is next to impossible. Yes, they probably won’t complain if Sanders is still available when they are on the clock.

However, the Steelers are possibly focusing on someone else whom they might actually get. Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart could be the young signal-caller the Steelers are targeting. Dart reportedly turned heads with his QB plays on his Pro Day in Oxford. However, just to let you know, neither Tomlin nor Omar Khan was present at his event.

But the only difference from Sanders is that they sent some key representatives. Assistant GM Andy Weidl, scout Ike Taylor, and receivers coach Zach Azzanni were there to study Dart. Now, if they don’t pick Dart also with their 21st overall. All signs will again point to the Steelers standing firm on their belief of signing the 4-time NFL MVP. However, the million-dollar question right now is why he hasn’t signed yet. Well, NFL insider Dianna Russini has a theory that is probably too good to be labeled false.

Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ possible difference revealed

No matter how much Rodgers’ value has gone down because of the Jets’ failure. Still, at 41, he remains the top free-agent QB in this market. So, obviously, Rodgers wouldn’t want to devalue himself just because of a franchise where QBs never seem to find success. No disrespect to Joe Namath, but that was oddly 50 years when the Jets saw someone succeed. Maybe that’s why The Athletic’s Dianna Russini believes Rodgers is holding out for money. The financials the Steelers are probably whispering to him aren’t enticing him to drape the black and gold.

“Usually, it’s money. Financials are always part of it. He does not need to sign and take some cheap deal. He knows the Steelers need him…There’s gonna be a number that’s gonna make Aaron happy. And I just don’t know if Pittsburgh is there yet,” Russini claimed. Steelers are also probably not too willing to stir the pot either. They have already tabled an offer, potentially a one-year deal whose financials are unknown. And the expectation is they won’t change until they really have to.

Surely, the Steelers are not going to wait forever. Rodgers already knows Pittsburgh remains his best chance to get another shot at a Super Bowl before his NFL career ends. So, it’s a game of who blinks first. Will it be Rodgers taking what the Steelers are offering? Or will it be the Steelers who go on and draft a rookie QB to show Rodgers he ain’t needed anymore? Chop-chop time is money!!