Aaron Rodgers is still unsigned, and the Pittsburgh Steelers are starting to get a little antsy. With the draft creeping up and roster decisions looming, it sounds like Steelers owner Art Rooney II is doing something NFL teams rarely do with Rodgers: turning up the heat.
NFL insider Mike Garafolo thinks Rooney may have broken from the usual NFL mold when dealing with Rodgers, sending a message through the media to move things along.
Pittsburgh Steelers Apply Rare ‘Pressure’ on Aaron Rodgers
It’s no secret that teams have traditionally tiptoed around Aaron Rodgers during negotiations. His reputation for being deliberate, methodical — and some would say stubborn — has made GMs and owners handle him with kid gloves. But Garafolo believes that may be changing in Pittsburgh.
“The Steelers are doing what few teams have done in recent years, which is to put pressure on [Aaron Rodgers],” Garafolo said.
Rooney said at the NFL league owners meeting on March 31 that he didn’t think the Rodgers signing would take this long. “We keep hearing that he’s, I guess, headed in our direction, and so that seems to be all signs are positive so far,” he said.
Sounds polite, but reading between the lines, there’s a clear subtext: time’s ticking.
Garafolo added that the Steelers seem to be straying from the Rodgers playbook of caution and quiet deference.
“Usually, with Aaron Rodgers, it’s like nobody wants to spook him. Nobody wants to scare him. It’s a little bit of a walk on eggshells. So, the Steelers, I think, were sending a message as subtly as they could. ‘Let’s go, man. We’re getting closer to the draft. We’ve got to know what’s going on here.'”
Rodgers’ Decision on Steelers May Be Close — But Still No Deal
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said he spoke with some of his connections at the Steelers and believes a resolution is on the horizon.
“I assume the Steelers would like a decision sooner rather than later. Not I assume, I know several members of the organization have said so.”
From The Insiders on @NFLNetwork: The #Steelers (still) wait for Aaron Rodgers. pic.twitter.com/ONCyqxJdcZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 31, 2025
It’s not hard to see why. Pittsburgh needs to finalize its quarterback plan before the draft. If Rodgers signs, that could drastically change their approach to the offseason and what positions they prioritize with early picks.
On March 21, Rodgers had a marathon six-hour meeting at the Steelers facility but left without putting pen to paper. Despite a career that spans two decades, he is a first-time free agent, which may be the reason for his hesitation. Rodgers wants to make the best decision possible and, like any player in the twilight of a successful career, is hungry for another Super Bowl ring. This could be his final shot at a second ring, and he knows it.
Fittingly, Rodgers’ first (and only) hardware came against Pittsburgh in Super Bowl 45. Now, he could end his career with the Steelers, chasing that elusive second title 14 years later.
If the Steelers apply pressure, they do it with purpose. The ball’s in Rodgers’ court, but Pittsburgh won’t wait forever.