Aaron Rodgers is an enigma, to say the least. With the NFL working their schedule around the rumor that Rodgers will be signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, nothing has been signed yet.
The four-time NFL MVP is still deciding whether to continue to play after being released by the New York Jets, and one Steelers star recently spoke about Pittsburgh potentially signing Rodgers.
Alex Highsmith Welcomes Aaron Rodgers to Pittsburgh
Since the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers have had five different quarterbacks with three or more starts. Mason Rudolph is currently listed as the team’s QB1, but Pittsburgh fans are continuing to wait for Rodgers’ decision.
“If (Aaron Rodgers) does sign with us, it’s going to be really exciting to have him.” #Steelers pass rusher Alex Highsmith joined The Insiders on @nflnetwork to talk offseason workouts, the team’s QB situation, how to reverse sear the perfect steak and more. pic.twitter.com/DUJlEDOycK
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo)
Highsmith commented on the situation, “I think we try to put our best foot forward everyday with who’s in the building right now,” continuing, “No matter who’s back there for us, whether it’s him [Rudolph] or if Rodgers is going to come, I’m just excited. Whoever is back there, we are going to have their backs and rally behind them. I’m just excited for whoever it’s going to be.”
Rodgers’ time as a Jet came to an end sooner than maybe he had anticipated, but with all of the changes in New York, it was bound to happen eventually. His relationship with Mike Tomlin is well documented, and the Steelers’ head coach is looking for someone to lead the team to success in the playoffs. While the answer could be Mason Rudolph, Highsmith is excited about potentially welcoming Rodgers to the team.
“I know that if he does sign, we’re definitely going to be really excited to have him,” he said. “We know who he is, he’s a Hall of Fame quarterback, he’s one of the best to ever do it. I wouldn’t say it’s a distraction at all. We all know what type of quarterback he is and what he brings to the table.”
Rudolph signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Highsmith commented on his 2023 run with the team, but last year, the 29-year-old spent his time in Tennessee with the Titans. His nine touchdown to nine interception ratio leaves much to be desired and is quite the opposite compared to Aaron Rodgers, who has one of the best TD-INT ratios in NFL history.
During the interview, Ian Rapoport pointed out that it was May, which is a much easier time to have the Rodgers discussion than September or October. It’s taken longer than the Steelers anticipated, but there is still plenty of time to sign the 41-year-old and take a chance on him as his career nears the end.