Aaron Rodgers has been linked with a move to the Pittsburgh Steelers for months but is yet to put pen to paper on a deal with the franchise, and one theory has now shed light on the delay
Aaron Rodgers is still a free agent and supposedly waiting to make his decision (Image: AP)
A fresh theory suggests that NFL icon Aaron Rodgers is holding off on a potential move to the Pittsburgh Steelers as he wants to see the schedule first.
After being released by the New York Jets following two lacklustre seasons, the rumor mill has been spinning non-stop about Rodgers’ next destination. While he has been linked with Pittsburgh for some time, a deal has yet to be sealed.
The latest hypothesis around the holdup comes courtesy of FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, who has heard that Rodgers is biding his time until Wednesday’s schedule release before locking in his future.
Cowherd explained that the ex-Green Bay Packers star might be waiting to see the number of primetime slots the Steelers have before deciding. He also suggested that an excess of evening matches could push Rodgers to hang up his cleats for good.
While it may sound far-fetched, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio agrees. Chatting on 93.7 The Fan radio show, Florio claimed to host Andrew Fillipponi that indeed, the Rodgers theory holds weight, reports the Mirror US.
Fillipponi posted on X: “@ProFootballTalk says on @937thefan a source told him the theory that Aaron Rodgers is waiting to sign with the Steelers until after the NFL schedule release so the league doesn’t load up on early Steelers primetime games is ‘right on the money.'”
Rodgers’ spell with the New York Jets ended after two seasons(Image: Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Regardless of Rodgers’ next move, the Steelers are expected to feature prominently in primetime games in 2025. The NFL schedule is likely already finalized, meaning it’s unlikely to change even if Rodgers makes a decision before May 14.
It’s also possible that the league has already taken into account the possibility of Rodgers joining the Steelers when creating the schedule.
What is known is that Pittsburgh has held discussions with Rodgers after hosting him at their facility in March, and the quarterback has also reportedly drawn interest from the Minnesota Vikings.
NFL insider and former player Ross Tucker is confident that Rodgers will sign with the Steelers, and even speculated that he may have told the team not to draft Shedeur Sanders, who is now with the Cleveland Browns.
Tucker said: “I think Aaron’s going to sign with them. I would be very, very surprised at this point if he doesn’t. Because if they didn’t have 99 percent confidence that he was going to, I think they would have drafted a quarterback.
Colin Cowherd spoke on the Rodgers theory(Image: YouTube)
“In fact, I’ll take it a step further. I don’t have any evidence of this, it is rampant speculation, but I would tell you right now I believe that Aaron Rodgers told the Steelers, ‘Hey don’t draft Shedeur Sanders,’ or maybe the Steelers just knew. He doesn’t want to deal with that. He’s 40-something years old.”
During his most recent public appearance on the Pat McAfee show, Rodgers shed some light on why he hasn’t signed a deal with a team yet.
“I’m in a different phase of my life,” he said. “I’m 41 years old, I’m in a serious relationship, I have personal commitments I’ve made. And people in my inner circle battling difficult stuff. To make a commitment to a team is a big thing.”