The final mystery to be resolved before the season begins is Aaron Rodgers. The quarterback has yet to decide whether he’ll retire or continue playing in the NFL, but his list of potential teams has shrunk significantly after free agency and the NFL Draft, which addressed the quarterback position for most franchises.
Still, until he makes a decision, his name will remain at the center of rumors. According to one analyst, his indecisiveness reflects his personality and the way he has always handled the media, but his conflict isn’t that hard to read through.
Aaron Rodgers Is Aware of Pittsburgh’s Mess, Colin Cowherd Says
Rodgers’ life has always been a topic of heavy discussion since the moment he entered the NFL. First, there was the situation with Brett Favre and the awkward atmosphere after the Green Bay Packers drafted him. Then came his strained relationship with his family, followed by more recent controversies involving the pharmaceutical industry and his use of recreational drugs.
The truth is, Rodgers no longer seems fully focused on football. Still, he remains available, and the most likely destination is the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, there may be more at play than just indecision.
According to NFL analyst Colin Cowherd, Rodgers is waiting on a decision from another franchise besides the Steelers before making his next move regarding his career.
“Aaron [Rodgers] is too smart to think the Steelers are a good fit.”@ColinCowherd addresses reports that Aaron Rodgers is still holding out for the Minnesota Vikings and doesn’t want to play for Pittsburgh. pic.twitter.com/fqgEaNHx1D
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 26, 2025
“According to Jeremy Fowler, there are people in the NFL, many that believe Aaron Rodgers is waiting on Minnesota,” Cowherd said.
His connection to Minnesota was legitimate earlier this offseason, and head coach Kevin O’Connell even mentioned during the head coaches’ meeting early in the offseason that he had internal discussions about the possibility. However, it’s more likely that the team moves forward with J.J. McCarthy, the quarterback selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft.
“Aaron loves to make people think he’s a mystery and the media can’t figure him out,” Cowherd continued. “And he does that because it invalidates us, and we’re the one group of people he can’t control. He’s worshiped by football people, he’s loved by teammates. The one group he can’t control? Us, and so he wants to invalidate us.”
According to the analyst, Rodgers knows the Steelers are in disarray and lack a clear plan, and out of respect for Mike Tomlin, he’s still considering the best option for himself. But, what’s holding up his negotiations with the franchise is his awareness of their limited competitive potential for 2025.
“I’ve gone over this a million times. They’re tone deaf to offense, I think they’re now making moves just to make moves. Let’s just move off George Pickens and let’s get a pick, let’s overspend for DK Metcalf,” Cowherd added.
Cowherd’s theory makes sense, as the Steelers’ offseason was indeed one of the most confusing among all 32 NFL teams. The trade for Metcalf led many to believe the team was laying the groundwork for a quarterback arrival, but in the draft, they repeatedly passed on Shedeur Sanders, and now, as we approach June, Rodgers still hasn’t signed.
So, from Rodgers’ perspective, Pittsburgh may not actually be the best place for him, and the franchise might need him more than he needs them. Still, with Minnesota appearing confident in McCarthy, the Steelers may be the only place willing to offer Rodgers the starting role he’s looking for.
