We may not be any closer to Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh, but all signs continue to point to the quarterback joining the Steelers. While speaking with reporters today, coach Mike Tomlin acknowledged that he’s remained in contact with Rodgers since their in-person meeting on March 21 (via Mark Maske of The Washington Post).
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While Tomlin acknowledged that he didn’t have any new updates on the public flirtation between the two sides, he did reiterate that there isn’t any urgency for a resolution. Following reports from yesterday that training camp would represent the “line of demarcation” for the organization, Tomlin said he’s “really comfortable with being unsettled this time of year” (via Maske).
Tomlin also talked about his meeting with Rodgers, noting that he was happy to speak with a long-time competitor.
“There’s no substitute for intimacy and spending time together,” Tomlin said (via NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). “[G]etting to know one another in a non-competitive environment.”
As Rodgers considers his next move, Tomlin isn’t the only Steelers employee he’s been talking to. According to Garafolo, the QB had a throwing session with recent acquisition D.K. Metcalf. Garafolo suggests this could simply be a part of Rodgers’ process as he evaluates the potential landing spot, but it could also be the determining factor before the player puts pen to paper.
Considering the Steelers’ lack of free agent options and Rodgers’ dearth of remaining suitors, the two sides seem to be a natural pairing. While the assumption is that they’ll eventually link up, the organization seems to be proactively planting the seeds in case a contract doesn’t come to fruition. While speaking with reporters today, Tomlin said the Steelers would be comfortable heading into next season with Mason Rudolph as their starting quarterback.
“That’s why we brought him back,” Tomlin said (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor). “I’m comfortable with that. We’ve been there before. He’s a very capable guy.”
Of course, the Steelers got a look at Rudolph as a starter during his first stint in Pittsburgh, as the former third-round pick went 8-4-1 as a starter between 2019 and 2023. Rudolph didn’t fare nearly as well during his 2024 stay in Tennessee (1-4 as a starter), but the Steelers were still confident enough in his ability to bring him back on a two-year deal. Skylar Thompson is the only other QB currently on the Steelers roster.