The saga between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Aaron Rodgers took an interesting turn this week. The Steelers placed the rarely used unrestricted free agency tender on Rodgers as they await a decision on his return for another season.
ESPN explained the move as an insurance policy to protect the team in case Rodgers decides to sign elsewhere.
“Not only does the tender limit Rodgers to signing with only the Steelers once training camp begins in July, but if he signs elsewhere before July 22, the Steelers would receive a compensatory pick,” ESPN reported. “The compensatory pick formula doesn’t consider moves made after the draft unless a team files this tender by the deadline, usually a day or two after the draft concludes.”
This is yet another chapter in what has become a drawn-out situation between the Steelers and Rodgers. And according to The Herd’s Colin Cowherd, it is not exactly doing Pittsburgh any favors.
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Colin Cowherd Questions Steelers’ ‘Elite’ Status
When discussing the NFL’s top franchises, the Steelers have traditionally been near the top. They are tied with the New England Patriots with six Super Bowl titles and boast a long list of Hall of Fame players.
But Cowherd believes this current situation is exposing a different reality.
“The Steelers view themselves, because of their history, as an elite franchise. The Steelers are much closer to the Jets… but they’re a more functional version,” Cowherd said. “The idea that the good teams in the league would just allow a 41-year old quarterback to string them along is laughable. Eagles aren’t doing that. Rams aren’t doing that. Chiefs aren’t doing that.”
Cowherd referenced comments from Steelers owner Art Rooney II when discussing the ongoing situation.
“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said, via Pro Football Talk. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans. Even though I thought we’d have concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
Cowherd pointed out several similarities between the Steelers and the New York Jets, including their lack of recent playoff success, uncertainty at quarterback and roster-building philosophy centered heavily on defense.
This isn’t one of Cowherd’s worst hot takes — he’s not off base. The Steelers haven’t won a playoff game since 2017, while the Jets’ drought is even worse at 14 years. Neither team has had a real answer at quarterback in years, and both tend to invest heavily on the defensive side of the ball.
As for the front office, the Jets are in Year 2 under Darren Mougey after moving on from Joe Douglas, while Omar Khan is entering his fifth season in Pittsburgh and could be on thin ice.
Steelers Still Searching For QB Answer
As the waiting game with Rodgers continues, it is fair to question how this reflects on the Steelers’ long-term plan at quarterback.
Pittsburgh currently has Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and Drew Allar on the roster, but none have proven capable of elevating the team into a true contender.
Rodgers, despite his age and uncertainty, still offers the best chance at keeping the Steelers in the playoff conversation. His experience alone provides a level of stability the current options simply do not.
At the same time, relying on a 42-year-old quarterback to make a late decision does not exactly project confidence or direction.
If Rodgers returns, the Steelers can continue to chase short-term success. If not, the franchise may finally be forced into a reset — one that could ultimately determine whether they can reclaim the elite status they have long believed they still hold.
Steelers Draw Stunning Jets Take From Colin Cowherd Amid Aaron Rodgers Drama