Welcome back to your weekly Pittsburgh Steelers mailbag. As always, we’re here for the next hour to answer whatever is on your mind.

To your questions!

Novatech LV: 

Dear ALEX,

1) It looks like Aaron Rodgers is having fun he hasn’t had while he was with NY Jets. What would you say his chance of playing one more season? Other than Mendoza and Moore, I see no QBs worth drafting in the 1st round. I am sure how the Steelers finish will influence his decision but the Steelers need ARod for another season.

2) if you were Khan, why not offer a new contract to Gainwell and Pierre like now?

Thanks,

Alex: It sure does. Winning is fun but I think Rodgers has enjoyed his entire experience here. Which is big for his odds of coming back. He’s not here to chase a ring he’s never gotten. He’s done all you can do. So it’s just about if he wants to do it anymore. That’s based on a couple things like health and his personal life but also if he’s having fun.

I would say that bodes well for his chances. Still, it’s hard to get in his head and know exactly what he wants to do. He’s certainly not someone defined by just football and he’s not the easiest guy to predict. But the odds have certainly been going up since the season began.

The Steelers never do in-season extensions. That policy dates back to many years ago. It helps create hard deadlines for agents to get deals done before the season and doesn’t create the messiness of trying to deal with contract stuff in-season while also focusing on football. Once the year starts, the team and player puts all attention on football and I respect that. Plus, it’s a good idea to let an entire season play out and make sure everyone is healthy before committing a deal.

Douglas Prostorog:First off happy holidays! Here’s a question—cook or jones as starter next year

Alex: Same to you! Jury probably still out. Going to keep watching Cook. Right now, still going with Jones with Cook as the swing tackle. If the option gets picked up on Jones, it’ll be him. Even though it doesn’t apply until 2027, it’s a sign he’s the guy. And Jones took big strides this year.

It’s a good problem to have. That’s the best thing of all.

Robert Siegler: Do you remember a season where the Steelers brought in as many positive contributors as this year: Rodgers, Ramsey, Metcalf, Gainwell, Echols, Harmon, Black, Sawyer, Cook, and Pierre? Our record is similar to the last couple of years, but our roster seems much stronger.

Alex: I don’t but it can be hard to compare. Really just the in-season additions is what I think about. Peat and Thielen and MVS and Peppers and Dugger and Samuel and Clark, that alone could fill up a good chunk of the roster of guys brought in after camp began. That’s the maybe unique nature of this season compared to others.