The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to sign Aaron Rodgers this weekend.
Steelers insiders Adam Crowley, Pat Bostick, and Dorin Dickerson of The Fan Morning Show reported on Thursday morning that Rodgers is set to sign. And, Rodgers is set to be in Pittsburgh to sign this weekend.
“Breaking news, exclusive to The Fan Morning Show, this is not a drill, this is real,” Crowley said. “Aaron Rodgers is expected to be in town tonight, with the expectation of him signing this weekend. This is a big one. This is the real thing, this is not speculation, this is what we have been told. This weekend should be Rodgers’ weekend in Pittsburgh.”
Rodgers ‘ return to the Steelers was expected, but Pittsburgh had hoped he would have signed before the NFL Draft. Yet, after some time, the veteran quarterback has reportedly agreed to come back. It’s likely this will be his final NFL season.
Rodgers signed a one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers last season, and the veteran had success. He led Pittsburgh to an AFC North title and a playoff berth, but the Steelers lost in the Wild Card round to the Houston Texans.
Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions last season, showing he can still play at a high-level at 42-years-old.
Steelers Owner Expected Rodgers Decision Soon
Pittsburgh had hoped Rodgers would sign before the NFL Draft, but that didn’t happen.
The week after the NFL Draft, Steelers owner Art Rooney spoke to NFL Network and said he expected a Rodgers decision in the very near future.
“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis. He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans. Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks,” Rooney said to NFL Network.
While the Steelers were waiting for Rodgers’ decision, Pittsburgh placed the rare UFA tender on him. It was a move the Steelers felt was necessary, but Pittsburgh remained confident Rodgers would be back.
“The main thing that the tender gives us is the potential for a comp pick if Aaron would choose to go to another team. We don’t expect that, but by the same token, you never know,” Rooney said about the Steelers placing the unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers. “It’s just something that we had an opportunity to protect, if needed. The deadline was Monday, so if we were going to do it, we had to pull the trigger on Monday.
“We alerted Aaron and his representative that we were going to do it. Not a real big deal, but it’s just something that, in the unlikely event that he goes somewhere else, we are eligible for a comp pick in that situation.”
Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP.
Rodgers Spoke to Mike McCarthy
Pittsburgh hired Rodgers’ former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy, which many felt meant the veteran quarterback would be back.
However, Rodgers had been taking his time, and speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, the veteran said he has spoken to McCarthy since he was hired as the head coach.
“I’ve talked to Mike (McCarthy). I’ve talked to (general manager) Omar (Khan). There’s been no deadline that’s been put in front of me,” Rodgers said a week before NFL free agency officially begins. “There’s no contract offer or anything. So there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent. …
“I love Mike, and Mike and I have kept in contact over the years. I’ve had conversations with Omar. I think Omar really enjoyed having me there. I think the guys had a positive response to our time together. But again, there hasn’t been any deadline set on me.”
Rodgers is a 10-time Pro Bowler.
REPORT: Steelers Get Massive Update on Aaron Rodgers Future