Close Friend Says Aaron Rodgers Loves Everything About the Steelers
Former teammate and close friend, A.J. Hawk, said on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday that Aaron Rodgers loves everything about the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“Well, I do know that he actually really likes all the Pittsburgh staff. He loves the staff, the front office, everything about Pittsburgh,” Hawk said. “The people there, that’s what makes the Steelers, the Steelers, don’t you think? From the top, down, I think he definitely loves all them.”
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network recently provided some in-depth details on Rodgers’ meeting with the Steelers brass last Friday. According to Pelissero, the Steelers did not plan the meeting.
“Aaron basically invited himself on a visit late last week. He was in the building for several hours, he watched tape with the coaches,” Pelissero said on the Jim Rome Show.
As far as contract talks, Pelissero said an offer has been on the table for the last three weeks.
“This deal has been in place contract-wise for weeks. They’ve discussed parameters. This is not going to be a financial issue at all for Aaron Rodgers,” Pelissero explained. “If it gets done it’s going to be a one-year deal. This was a get-to-know-you meeting, everything there sounds positive. I can tell you Aaron has kept a dialogue with various members of the organization, coaches, other players. There’s been communication like this is something he’s really going to do and at this point right now, sitting here in late March the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only opportunity that Aaron has.”
The Steelers are really Rodgers’ only option. That’s why it’s head-scratching that a decision hasn’t been made yet. Adam Schefter of ESPN thinks retirement is a real possibility.
“I don’t see too many free agents who go visit a team for six hours, think about something,” Schefter said. “What’s the question? What’s the issue? They want you. You don’t want them? Clearly, you have questions. I don’t know if that’s playing for that team, living in that city, playing football in general. There’s something that’s holding you back because they want him.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks it’s a “safe bet” that the Steelers land Rodgers. The “when,” however, remains a mystery.
Florio speculates that Rodgers could announce that he’s signing with the Steelers at Pat McAfee’s “Big Night AHT” at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on April 9. Rodgers appears on McAfee’s show every Tuesday during the season.
April 21 could also be a soft deadline for Rodgers’ decision, as that’s when the Steelers start offseason workouts.