If you think the Aaron Rodgers “will he or won’t he sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers” drama has gone on long enough, well, you aren’t the only one. Add former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to that list.
Ben Roethlisberger’s Advice Regarding Aaron Rodgers for the Pittsburgh Steelers
On his podcast, “Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger,” the former QB who spent all 17 years of his career in Pittsburgh offered some advice to the Steelers about Rodgers, especially with the NFL Draft beginning Thursday, April 24.
“If I’m the Steelers, I’m saying, ‘Hey Aaron, I need to know by like Tuesday of next week,’” Roethlisberger said. “Like, I gotta know if you’re coming or not.”
Roethlisberger added that it’s Rodgers’ prerogative to tell the Steelers, “I’ll wait.”
Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, spent the past two years with the New York Jets after 18 seasons in Green Bay. He flirted with Minnesota this offseason, but the Vikings have indicated they will be going with J.J. McCarthy, whom they selected 10th overall this time last year.
In 2024, Rodgers passed for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Meanwhile, Steelers quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields combined for 3,588 yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
In PFSN’s QB+ metrics, Rodgers ranked 21st, while Wilson ranked 17th. Fields did not see the field enough to qualify for a grade, but if he had, he likely would have rated above both of them.
Roethlisberger reminded listeners that last week he wondered if there might be “a team out there that we don’t know about yet that is maybe injured.” Since then, reports have surfaced that New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr could be lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
While admitting he doesn’t know much about the Saints’ offense, Roethlisberger said New Orleans could be a place Rodgers might want to play, especially with half the games in the Caesars Superdome.
“You get to play in a dome, which is always awesome for a quarterback,” Roethlisberger said. “Maybe that’s something that entices him. It’s a unique saga going on.”
The upcoming draft will add to the drama. New Orleans has the No. 9 overall pick, while Pittsburgh is scheduled to pick at No. 21.
Plenty of quarterbacks should still be available for either team to consider, including Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough.
Roethlisberger acknowledged that Rodgers might not want to join a team with a young quarterback. He’s been in that situation before, when the Green Bay Packers drafted Jordan Love.
At his age, a backup role is certainly not how Rodgers wants to end his career. Meanwhile, he’s shown before that he’s not afraid to take his time. The question now is, who blinks first?
