The Pittsburgh Steelers’ pursuit of Aaron Rodgers is dragging into its third week of free agency, with no final decision in sight. As fans grow restless and speculation heats up, head coach Mike Tomlin finally broke his silence during the NFL’s annual league meetings in Florida.
Steelers HC Mike Tomlin: Aaron Rodgers Is a ‘Process’ in Free Agency
On Sunday evening, Tomlin was asked directly if the team had given Rodgers a deadline to decide. His answer made it clear that no such timeline has been set.
“Not to my knowledge,” Tomlin said. “I don’t know that we’ve approached it from a deadline perspective. Certainly, as I mentioned, you’d like to have settled circumstances. But, you know, deadlines don’t often bring that to a head.”
Tomlin didn’t reveal much else, but he did confirm that the Steelers hosted Rodgers for a visit on March 21 and described the meeting as positive.
“It was really good to spend some time together, man, and get to know each other more intimately,” Tomlin said. “But it is free agency. It is a process.”
Rodgers, 41, is the most accomplished quarterback still available, and Pittsburgh’s interest in the four-time MVP has been one of the top storylines of the offseason. But with Rodgers reportedly weighing multiple options, the Steelers have been left in a holding pattern.
What’s Next for Pittsburgh With Russell Wilson, Justin Fields Out
The team’s quarterback depth chart remains unsettled. Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, starters for the Steelers last season, have moved on — Wilson signed with the New York Giants, while Fields landed with the Jets.
Pittsburgh has just two quarterbacks under contract: Mason Rudolph, who re-signed on a two-year deal, and Skylar Thompson, a former Dolphins backup who joined the team earlier in the offseason. Neither is considered a long-term solution.
While Rodgers remains the top target, the Steelers aren’t ruling out other avenues. The team holds the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is doing its homework on the incoming rookie class. They’ve already hosted former Oregon and Texas Tech–turned–Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough for a top-30 visit. They also plan to bring Ole Mississippi QB Jaxson Dart for a meeting in April.
Tomlin remained intentionally vague when asked if the team had a backup plan if Rodgers signs elsewhere.
“I don’t know if we are identifying anything as Plan A, Plan B, or Plan C,” he said. “We’re just simply looking at the field of available people, whether it’s free agency or the draft, and making decisions and gathering information accordingly.”
For now, the Steelers are in wait-and-see mode. Whether Rodgers lands in Pittsburgh or not, time is ticking for the team to find its next starting quarterback.