The Aaron Rodgers saga has been the defining story of this year’s free agency so far. After an ugly end to his New York Jets tenure that included a disastrous final interview, Rodgers’ next destination became one of the hottest topics in sports media.
With teams like the New York Giants, Minnesota Vikings, and Pittsburgh Steelers all floated as potential options, his decision was expected to shift the NFL landscape. Slowly, teams dropped out of the race, leaving Pittsburgh as the only one still standing. Still, there hasn’t been any clear word from the four-time MVP.
Where Is Aaron Rodgers When It Comes to the Pittsburgh Steelers?
It seemed inevitable that Rodgers would end up with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers based on how everything lined up. But over the last few weeks, that’s started to look less certain. A potential quarterback pick at No. 21 in the 2025 NFL Draft has raised some questions about the team’s long-term plan.
On top of that, new quarterback openings could emerge elsewhere — such as with the New Orleans Saints and Derek Carr, given his recent injury. Still, Rodgers hasn’t closed the door on anything. In one of his first media appearances since the 2024 season ended, he opened up about his mindset heading into the decision.
“This entire time, I didn’t feel like I owed any decision to anybody at any point. This is my life, and like I said, my life is different, my personal life is different,” Rodgers told Pat McAfee on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
“I have stuff in the inner circle that I am intimately close to, it’s really important to me. And I have been upfront with them about that. I have said, ‘Hey, listen, if you need to move on, if you need to do something, by all means, like nothing but love and respect, if that’s the decision that needs to be made.'”
"I've been very up front with the Steelers and there's been no deadline..
I've talked to Mike Tomlin many times"@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive https://t.co/0E0mW0HRmU pic.twitter.com/FlB3oYhOft
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) April 17, 2025
Speculation picked up again after Steelers president Art Rooney II made it clear the team wasn’t going to wait forever. “Not forever but a little while longer,” Rooney had said.
But that may not be how Rodgers sees it.
“But, there’s been no deadlines, and I have talked to Mike Tomlin many times,” Rodgers added on the show.
Rumors linking Rodgers to Pittsburgh have circulated all offseason, especially after he visited the Steelers’ facility earlier in the year.
Speaking about that trip, Rodgers added, “It’s different in person. Personally, I wanted to see what it was like in Pittsburgh and see the facility, and get to meet them one-on-one in person. Just see and get a glimpse of what life would be like in Pittsburgh. So, I thought it was important to go see it in person.”
Still, the reality is we’re no closer to knowing what the future Hall of Famer is going to do. At the very least, there doesn’t seem to be a deadline looming, and it likely won’t change how the Steelers approach the 2025 NFL Draft.
