{"id":28321,"date":"2025-05-06T12:26:12","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T12:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/28321\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T12:26:12","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T12:26:12","slug":"pittsburgh-steelers-given-aaron-rodgers-deadline-but-quarterback-owes-nobody-as-fans-argue-over-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/28321\/","title":{"rendered":"Pittsburgh Steelers given Aaron Rodgers deadline but quarterback &#8216;owes nobody&#8217; as fans argue over decision"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Aaron Rodgers is keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting.<\/p>\n<p>Having <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/2927138\/aaron-rodgers-newyork-jets-nyc-steelers-titans-nfl\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">parted ways<\/a> with the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/new-york-jets\/page\/2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Jets<\/a>, the veteran quarterback was strongly pursued by Steelers head coach <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/mike-tomlin\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mike Tomlin<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Rodgers will need time to learn the offense if he wants to play\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746534371_227_quarterback-aaron-rodgers-8-new-988891877.jpg\" data-caption=\"Rodgers will need time to learn the offense if he wants to play\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746534371_227_quarterback-aaron-rodgers-8-new-988891877.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>Rodgers will need time to learn the offense if he wants to playCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>After deciding not to draft a passer until selecting Ohio State prospect <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/2985774\/shedeur-sanders-nfl-draft-attitude-combine-will-howard\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Will Howard<\/a> in the sixth round, it appears the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/pittsburgh-steelers\/page\/2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Steelers<\/a> are all-in on <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/who\/aaron-rodgers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Rodgers<\/a> with Mason Rudolph the presumed starter as it stands.<\/p>\n<p>But whether the 40-year-old shares that enthusiasm remains up for debate.<\/p>\n<p>A contract offer has reportedly been <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/3058580\/aaron-rodgers-next-team-pittsburgh-steelers-cam-heyward-message\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">on the table since March <\/a>but without a signature it is meaningless.<\/p>\n<p>Now, as preparations ramp up for the 2025 season, the clock is ticking.<\/p>\n<p>Three-time Pro Bowl QB Matt Hasselbeck says Rodgers needs to be through the door when the Steelers begin OTAs on May 27.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI just mentioned the three phases for a veteran quarterback,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=BTWAnl_M5y0\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"he told Colin Cowherd on Monday.  (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">he told Colin Cowherd on Monday. <\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cPhase one feels like a waste of your time. Like, it&#8217;s just lifting\u2026 There&#8217;s no football there. Anyway, phase two, again, you&#8217;re throwing to guys on air, not that important. phase three I think is really important. <\/p>\n<p>&#8220;So for the Pittsburgh Steelers, I believe that&#8217;s May 27th. May 27th is the start of Phase Three.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Rodgers, of course, has been known to pick and choose which offseason workouts suit him.<\/p>\n<p>In July 2024, he decided that the Jets&#8217; mandatory minicamp was not that mandatory after all and went on vacation to Egypt instead.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The quarterback might decide he has nothing left to prove\" height=\"640\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aaron-rodgers-8-new-york-980992816.jpg\" data-caption=\"The quarterback might decide he has nothing left to prove\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/aaron-rodgers-8-new-york-980992816.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>The quarterback might decide he has nothing left to proveCredit: Getty<a href=\"#\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Tomlin's team looks light at quarterback\" height=\"960\" width=\"960\" data-credit=\"Getty\" data-img=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crop-2183364.jpg\" data-caption=\"Tomlin's team looks light at quarterback\"   loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/crop-2183364.jpg\" role=\"img\"\/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>3<\/p>\n<p>Tomlin&#8217;s team looks light at quarterbackCredit: Getty<\/p>\n<p>It was <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/2917665\/aaron-rodgers-nfl-newyork-jets-pat-mcafee-steelers-titans\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">one of many factors that irreparably damaged his relationship<\/a> with the team.<\/p>\n<p>He was under contract with New York at the time and as that is not the case with Pittsburgh, fans are debating whether he owes Tomlin and the Steelers anything.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Not sure why people care that Aaron is not deciding on his team yet,&#8221; wrote columnist Andrew Brandt in March.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Addiction to <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/nfl\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL<\/a> news culture has made people conditioned to demand immediacy,&#8221; replied a fan on X. &#8220;People say Rodgers wants attention&#8211;if he did he could very easily get it by coming on here and popping off. There&#8217;s nothing wrong with taking time to decide. He owes no one a quick decision.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Take: I&#8217;m not a fan of Aaron Rodgers showing up at the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/kentucky-derby\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kentucky Derby<\/a> w\/o a Steelers contract,&#8221; added another. &#8220;More proof that football is on his back-burner. Put pen to paper. Then go gallivant. And drink mint juleps. To quote someone I respect: &#8216;do you want to be a Steeler or not?'&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>With the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/minnesota-vikings\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a> content to <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/3034581\/aaron-rodgers-vikings-decision-steelers-giants-free-agents\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">give JJ McCarthy a shot<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/new-york-giants\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">New York Giants<\/a> trading up to add <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/2437597\/jaxson-dart-scout-report-draft-projection-zach-wilson\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Jaxson Dart<\/a> to a room which already features former Steeler <a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/topic\/russell-wilson\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Russell Wilson<\/a> and Jameis Winston, Rodgers&#8217; options are seemingly running out.<\/p>\n<p>It appears to be either Pittsburgh or retirement.<\/p>\n<p>The closer we get to the season, the more likely it is that the four-time MVP decides that enough is enough.<\/p>\n<p>If he does want to play, Rodgers surely needs a full offseason program in order to gel with a new team and shake off any rust.<\/p>\n<p>The Steelers<a href=\"https:\/\/talksport.com\/nfl\/1653851\/dk-metcalf-seahawks-diet-candy-gummy-pittsburgh-steelers\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"> traded for DK Metcalf<\/a> to bolster a wide receiver room that also features George Pickens.<\/p>\n<p>Per Jeremy Fowler, Pickens almost requested a trade but decided to stay in Pittsburgh. That could change when he learns who will be throwing him the ball next season.<\/p>\n<p>Stay up to date with the latest from across the NFL via our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/photo.php?fbid=1035444191956801&amp;set=pb.100064736886138.-2207520000&amp;type=3\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">talkSPORT Facebook page<\/a>, and subscribe to our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@talkSPORTEndZone\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Endzone YouTube channel<\/a> for news, view and exclusive interviews as we build up to the NFL Draft in April<\/p>\n<p>Aaron Rodgers interviewed by John Googins in 2002<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Aaron Rodgers is keeping the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting. Having parted ways with the New York Jets, the veteran&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":28322,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2055],"tags":[1586,11967,11969,11968,265,7,1255,6,11971,520,57,2360,6718,426,11970],"class_list":{"0":"post-28321","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pittsburgh-steelers","8":"tag-aaron-rodgers","9":"tag-aaron-rodgers-contract","10":"tag-aaron-rodgers-retirement","11":"tag-aaron-rodgers-steelers","12":"tag-american-football","13":"tag-football","14":"tag-mike-tomlin","15":"tag-nfl","16":"tag-nfl-contracts","17":"tag-pittsburgh","18":"tag-pittsburgh-steelers","19":"tag-pittsburghsteelers","20":"tag-quarterbacks","21":"tag-steelers","22":"tag-steelers-qbs"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114460884446331674","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28321","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28321"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28321\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28322"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28321"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28321"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28321"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}