Do the Steelers already know Aaron Rodgers intends to play for them?<\/p>\n
Late in the offseason, former Steelers HC Mike Tomlin admitted he knew Aaron Rodgers would sign before the draft. The implication is that it was one of the major reasons they waited until the sixth round to draft a quarterback. Thus far in free agency, however, they haven\u2019t even hinted at making a move at a quarterback.<\/p>\n
Many seem to believe this is an obvious sign that the Steelers know Rodgers will play for them. That may well be the case, although publicly it hasn\u2019t seemed like it. Rodgers spoke publicly and basically said he wasn\u2019t ready to make such a decision. He did admit that he was training\u2014but his motivation was, uh, off the field. If you know, you know.<\/p>\n
The NFL offseason has already witnessed a ton of quarterback movement. The likes of Tua Tagovailoa and Kyler Murray have switched teams, and Malik Willis signed a pretty big deal. It doesn\u2019t seem the Steelers showed interest in any of these options, but is that because of what they know about Aaron Rodgers?<\/p>\n
During the Combine, GM Omar Khan said they were preparing for two possibilities: Rodgers playing and Rodgers retiring. That was a while ago already, though, and it\u2019s possible even then they knew something they wouldn\u2019t say publicly.<\/p>\n
There are basically three primary possibilities. The Steelers either know with reasonable confidence that Aaron Rodgers intends to play, are really confident in Mason Rudolph and Will Howard, or quietly love another option. What if they fall in love with Ty Simpson\u2014or maybe they think they can trade for somebody?<\/p>\n
Or maybe they\u2019ve just been down this road with Rodgers before and are willing to travel with him. The Steelers got more or less the complete Aaron Rodgers experience last year, so they know what they\u2019re getting into. And it\u2019s not like Mike McCarthy doesn\u2019t have a history with him. Rodgers even admitted that the familiarity of the coaching staff is a draw for him, so there\u2019s that.<\/p>\n
The Steelers exited the playoffs in the first round yet again, a pattern going back to 2017. With seven consecutive postseason losses<\/a> and no wins in nearly a decade, they are facing another long, long offseason. No doubt we will see many changes, but none will top Mike Tomlin\u2019s resignation.<\/p>\n