The Aaron Rodgers-to-Pittsburgh Steelers rumors continue gaining steam, and now the team’s owner is speaking up about it.
Fans and media have been speculating for weeks about Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. The idea seemed like a stretch early on, but now it’s discussed as a real possibility. At this point, it’s not just fans and media connecting the dots — Steelers owner Art Rooney II is starting to share what he’s hearing, and he didn’t sound like someone completely in the dark.
Rooney spoke to reporters at the NFL owners’ meetings and gave the most direct comments we’ve heard from the organization since the Rodgers chatter started.
Steelers Owner Art Rooney II on Aaron Rodgers Signing: ‘Didn’t Envision It Taking This Long’
When asked whether he expected the Rodgers process to stretch into April, Rooney didn’t try to spin it.
“No. Didn’t envision it taking this long,” he told ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.
It shows that even the front office is surprised by how slowly things are moving. At this point in the offseason, most quarterback situations are figured out. But the Steelers are still waiting, which says something about how serious they might be about Rodgers.
Rooney also said the team has heard that Rodgers could lean toward Pittsburgh.
“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.
That’s about as close as you’ll get to an owner confirming mutual interest without anything being official. There’s no guarantee that Rodgers will end up in Black and Gold, but as Mike Tomlin is known for saying, Pittsburgh will “leave the light on.”
Art Rooney II of Aaron Rodgers: "We keep hearing that he's, I guess, headed in our direction, and so that seems to be all signs are positive so far."
Rooney II said it was a "good sign" Rodgers wanted to throw with DK Metcalf over the weekend.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) April 1, 2025
One moment that seemed to get the Steelers’ attention was Rodgers’ weekend workout with Pittsburgh’s newest wide receiver, DK Metcalf. The two were seen throwing together in California, and while it might not mean much, Rooney saw it as a positive development.
“It’s a good sign.”
Where Rodgers’ Indecision Leaves Steelers
If the Steelers are truly in the mix for Rodgers, it makes sense that they haven’t made a big move at quarterback yet. Pittsburgh brought back Mason Rudolph, whom it moved up to select in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He spent the 2024 season with the Tennessee Titans, starting five games for Will Levis. Though he had a 1-4 record in Tennessee, Rudolph was 9-8-1 over four seasons in Pittsburgh.
Per PFSN’s Offensive Line+ metrics, the unit finished in the bottom half of the league in 2024. It has young but talented players. The defense remains competitive, and there’s talent at the skill positions with Metcalf and George Pickens. Adding a veteran quarterback — especially one like Rodgers — could push them into AFC contender status.
The issue is time. The longer Rodgers takes, the longer the Steelers are left in limbo. But based on Rooney’s comments, they seem willing to wait a bit longer. They’re keeping tabs on the situation, and if Rodgers makes a move, Pittsburgh wants to be in position to act.
For now, it’s a waiting game. But the Steelers aren’t just watching from the sidelines — they’re in it. And their owner just confirmed it.