The Pittsburgh Steelers are still stuck in the Aaron Rodgers vortex this offseason. The 41-year-old quarterback was released by the New York Jets, and while he’s been linked to a few teams, the Steelers are the odds-on favorite.
Rodgers and the Steelers are reportedly moving toward finalizing a deal, with many analysts saying it’s just a matter of time. That raises questions about what Pittsburgh will do with the No. 21 overall pick.
Pittsburgh Steelers Get Help for Aaron Rodgers at No. 21 in NFL Draft
The Steelers have upgraded their offensive line over the past few years and are expected to shift their focus to defense. That’s exactly what PFSN’s latest mock draft has them doing: taking Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant.
But Daniel Jeremiah from NFL Network told Kay Adams on her show “Up & Adams” that the team might instead give Rodgers some help on offense.
“I just feel like if the Aaron Rodgers thing gets done, which everyone’s kind of expecting that does get done, I think they try to get another player to help him on that side of the ball. I think you’re looking at another weapon, whether that’s Emeka Egbuka. We will see if [Tet] McMillian’s still there from Arizona, teams are kinda split on him, all over the map.
“I would think if you’re going to make that commitment, go out on that ledge, and do the Aaron Rodgers thing after sitting out on some of these other quarterbacks — Geno Smith, Sam Darnold — you gotta get someone who makes that decision look smart.”
It would surprise a lot of people if the Steelers used their first-round pick on a wide receiver. They just gave DK Metcalf the largest contract in franchise history after trading for him earlier this offseason. They also have another contested-catch freak in George Pickens, who still has one year left on his rookie deal. Of course, Pickens’ antics have led some to believe Pittsburgh may trade him on draft day. If that happens, they’ll need another receiver to avoid a repeat of 2024.
Will Rodgers Deal With Jordan Love 2.0 in Pittsburgh?
The Green Bay Packers have a pattern with quarterbacks: draft them, blindside the starter, and trade them to the Jets. Both Rodgers and Brett Favre were caught off guard by the drafting of their successors and ended up getting shipped out.
Even if the Steelers lock in a deal with Rodgers, many analysts think they could still consider a quarterback in this year’s draft — if the right one falls.
Jeremiah said he believes if Jaxson Dart or Shedeur Sanders are there at 21, the Steelers have to at least talk about it. They can’t just let a potential franchise quarterback slip by. Adams said she couldn’t imagine a world where Rodgers would be cool with the Steelers drafting a Jordan Love 2.0 while he’s still on the roster.
Others believe Rodgers gives Pittsburgh the perfect bridge to get to 2026, when the quarterback class is expected to be much stronger.