In-Depth Details Revealed on Aaron Rodgers’ Meeting with Steelers
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided some in-depth details on Aaron Rodgers meeting with the Pittsburgh 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.”
Appearing on ESPN Milwaukee’s “Jen, Gabe & Chewy” on Wednesday, Adam Schefter explained that Rodgers could end up just retiring.
“I think, Chewy, that, first of all, they both need each other right now, frankly,” Schefter said about the Steelers and Rodgers. “And that’s if — that’s if — Aaron wants to play, which I’m not convinced yet that he does. Until I hear him say ‘I want to play’ then I can tell you people are asking that question about whether he wants to play. Like, it’s come up. … I’m hearing he might not wanna play.
“By the way, again, I don’t wanna speak for him because I don’t wanna get called out. We’re speculating. But, it shouldn’t be that hard. You either wanna play for the Steelers or you don’t, right? Like, what are we waiting for?”
The Steelers are really Rodgers’ only option. That’s why it’s head-scratching that a decision hasn’t been made yet.
“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.