Analyst Thinks Steelers Are Getting Manipulated by Aaron Rodgers: ‘Just Hang Up the Phone and Move on’
The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting on a decision from Aaron Rodgers. It’s been nearly two weeks and the wait could continue until the NFL Draft in late April. Rodgers holds all the cards, and he reportedly is in no rush to make a decision.
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks the Steelers look foolish by waiting for the 41-year-old quarterback. He believes Rodgers is manipulating the Steelers.
“Just hang up the phone and move on. It looks like you’re getting jerked around,” Florio said on 93.7 The Fan.
Team captain Cam Heyward is even getting disgruntled by the way the Steelers are handling the quarterback position.
Heyward put out a blunt message to the four-time league MVP earlier this week on his Not Just Football podcast.
“I ain’t doing that darkness retreat. I don’t need any of that crap,” Heyward said. “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t. That’s simple, that’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers — if you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”
CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala believes the Rodgers saga could continue to drag on for months.
“I have a really strong feeling that Aaron Rodgers is in no rush and maybe wants to see if a playoff ready team loses a quarterback to injury,” Kinkhabwala said on 93.7 The Fan.
Heyward just wants to move forward and focus on the rest of the 2025 offseason. He’s tired of hearing about the endless chatter of the Steelers’ quarterback situation.
“I just want to play football. I’m tired of talking about the quarterback situation. I’d rather have it done,” Heyward said. “I don’t know what ends up happening. I’m ready to move on in free agency.”
Dan Patrick had a similar opinion as Florio. The Steelers shouldn’t wait on Rodgers. Dan Rooney and Art Rooney Sr. certainly would’ve set a hard deadline.
“You’re the Pittsburgh Steelers. Don’t lower yourself,” Patrick said.
The Steelers signed Mason Rudolph as an insurance policy, but it wouldn’t be a good look if they don’t end up landing Rodgers. It would be like the Brandon Aiyuk situation all over again for general manager Omar Khan.
If Rudolph ends up being QB1 in 2025, Heyward likes the Steelers chances.
“Mason’s a good dude. I think Mason proved to a lot of Steelers fans, not just this past year, but last year when he stepped in for us, that he was ready. You know, if we don’t sign a quarterback, and we go in the year with Mason, I think we feel good about it,” Heyward said. “Excited to have him back. He’s really a guy for the locker room, and a lot of guys vibe with him. So to bring him back, part of the group is special.”