The Pittsburgh Steelers opted not to pursue any of the top quarterback options this offseason and instead want a reunion with Aaron Rodgers.
The top free agent quarterback was Malik Willis, who inked a deal with the Miami Dolphins. Yet, NFL analyst Gilberto Manzano of Sports Illustrated believes the Steelers should have been all over him, instead of trying to convince Rodgers to return.
“If I were Steelers GM Omar Khan, I would have pursued quarterback Malik Willis and given him the three-year, $68 million contract that he got from the Dolphins,” Manzano wrote. “I agree with Matt that Willis won’t get much help from a rebuilding Miami squad.
“Pittsburgh would have been a better fit with an offensive unit featuring DK Metcalf, Jaylen Warren and newcomers Michael Pittman Jr. and Rico Dowdle. And, yes, there’s the possibility of Aaron Rodgers signing there, but it would have been good for Willis to compete for the job after how poorly it went for him with the Titans. Strangely, the Steelers are again waiting around for a middle-aged QB with not much upside at this point in his career.”
Willis would have been a nice fit for the Steelers and given the offense some scrambling ability out of the pocket. Yet, it appears Pittsburgh is set on Rodgers returning for likely his final season to try and help the Steelers get over the hump.
Steelers Want Rodgers Back
The Steelers have yet to officially sign Rodgers, but all signs point to that happening.
Although Rodgers is 42, the Steelers believe he can still compete at a high level, according to insider Gerry Dulac.
“[The Steelers] don’t have any of the same doubts that might have existed last year about whether Rodgers had anything left in his 42-year-old tank,” Dulac wrote.
“He convinced them otherwise when he threw 24 touchdowns, had just seven interceptions, led them to a division title and missed only one game with an injury (broken wrist). That despite having the fewest pass attempts when he’s played at least 16 games in his career.”
Rodgers led the Steelers to an AFC North title last season. And he showed he still can do enough at his age to warrant another season. Rodgers threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions last season.
Rodgers Has No Deadline for Decision
Although Rodgers has hinted at returning to the Steelers, and the team wants him back, no decision has been made on his future.
However, he made it clear that there is no deadline and he will take his time again.
“There’s been no deadline that’s been put in front of me,” Rodgers told Pat McAfee. “There’s no contract offer or anything, so there’s nothing that I’m having to debate between. I’m a free agent. … I’m enjoying my time with my wife and enjoying this part of the off-season. And I think there’s conversations to be had down the line. But right now, there hasn’t been any progressive conversations. I love Mike [McCarthy], and Mike and I have kept some contact over the years.
“I’ve had conversations with Omar [Khan]. I think Omar enjoyed having me there. I think the guys had a positive response to our time together. But again, there hasn’t been any deadlines set on me. There hasn’t been any contract floated in front of me for me to like, ‘Well, we’re giving you till March 8 to make a decision on this contract.’ There’s been nothing to that respect.”
Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP.
Analyst Rips Steelers Front Office for Quarterback Plan This Offseason