The Pittsburgh Steelers have some important decisions to make soon, and Aaron Rodgers plays a big part in those. The 42-year-old quarterback has still yet to announce whether he’s returning to play for another season. With little to no free-agent options available, the Steelers may have to draft a quarterback should he not return.
Rodgers is once again holding up his announcement regarding his future, much like he did last year. He did not announce he was signing with the Steelers until June 5, following months of speculation and his release from the New York Jets.
The need for his return seems much more pressing this season, however, with Mike Tomlin now gone and Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ former head coach with the Green Bay Packers, taking his place.
Even though it has been frustrating for Pittsburgh to sit and wait on Rodgers’ decision again, the belief has always been that he will return for another season. However, one of the latest reports from Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio suggests things between Rodgers and the team may not be on the best terms.
Aaron Rodgers Reportedly Irritated With Steelers Situation
Florio recently was a guest on 93.7 The Fan and spoke about the situation between Rodgers and the Steelers. He said one of his sources indicated to him that Rodgers was “irritated” with the team.
“One of my sources that is kind of hit-and-miss, he insists that Rodgers is irritated that they talk about him,” Florio said, via Steelers Depot. “He doesn’t like it. He didn’t like it at the owners meeting when [Steelers owner] Art Rooney kind of did the cat-that-swallowed-the-canary smile. They act like they know he’s coming, and we expect to hear something soon. You’ve got to tiptoe around the delicate genius.”
Rooney recently told Bob Pompeani of KDKA that he did not know when Rodgers would make his decision.
“I don’t know if it’ll be before the draft,” Rooney told Pompeani. “I think it’ll be soon. Can’t put an exact day on it or anything like that. But yeah, I think it’ll happen soon. One way or the other.”
Rooney did say Rodgers gave the Steelers a time frame, though.
“I wish I could tell you we’re at the end of the discussion, but we’re still talking to Aaron and he’s still deciding what he wants to do,” Rooney said, via Yahoo Sports. “I think we’re close. He’s kind of told us his time frame and what he’s going to be up to over the next couple of weeks. So I think we’ll have an answer soon, let’s put it that way.”
Steelers Could Face Bigger QB Decision At Draft
Unless Rodgers walks out on stage in Pittsburgh to announce he’s returning when the Steelers make their No. 21 overall pick, his decision may not come before the draft.
If that’s the case, then maybe the Steelers decide to go with Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with their first-round pick, assuming he is still available.
That may only fuel the reported Rodgers frustration with the team.
Regardless of what happens, one thing is for sure: the Steelers have to figure out their quarterback situation — and fast.
Insider Says Aaron Rodgers ‘Irritated’ With Steelers Ahead Of NFL Draft