Despite not having a deal for the 2025 season in place – along with no timeline for an agreement to be reached – Aaron Rodgers remains the focus of considerable offseason attention. His latest public remarks on his future point further in the direction it has been heading in for quite some time. 
During a recent question-and-answer session while appearing on stage at an event hosted by rapper Mike Stud, Rodgers was asked about his plans for next season. Notably (albeit to no surprise), the 41-year-old confirmed he will not sign with the Saints. In the wake of Derek Carr‘s retirement, it became clear New Orleans would hold an open competition amongst the team’s remaining passers for the starting gig.
That leaves the Steelers as a logical Rodgers landing spot. The four-time MVP has been linked to Pittsburgh throughout the offseason, one in which Russell Wilson and Justin Fields departed in free agency. Steelers owner Art Rooney II has repeatedly expressed confidence that a deal will get done, and in the wake of the draft the team remained optimistic Rodgers will be in place for 2025. The latest indication that will indeed be the case came when the longtime Packers star was asked if he would be willing to ever play for the Bears.
“No, but I believe there’s a team that might play in Chicago this year on a road trip,” Rodgers said (video link). “I don’t know, not sure. Got to check it out.”
The Steelers’ 2025 schedule includes a road game against the Bears (Week 12), so that remark can be interpreted as another sign a Pittsburgh deal will be coming. The end of May was recently floated as the time at which an agreement could be in place, and the Steelers would no doubt prefer to have Rodgers in the fold as soon as possible. At the recent owners meetings, Rooney stated he and the team would remain patient “a little while longer” (h/t ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler) on the Rodgers front.
As a result, it remains to be seen when exactly the two parties – which met during a lengthy free agent visit and have discussed at least one contract offer – will come to a formal arrangement. Rodgers’ preferred destination this spring was the Vikings, but in the absence of a Minnesota deal being possible a short-term Pittsburgh pact has represented a fallback plan. That is clearly still the case at this point.
Mason Rudolph (brought back after spending 2024 with the Titans) is atop the depth chart for now, but the veteran was informed of Pittsburgh’s QB plans before he agreed to return during free agency. Skylar Thompson and sixth-round rookie Will Howard will be present for training camp this summer, but the Steelers are expected to add a fourth signal-caller, per usual. Rodgers remains atop the list of the likeliest candidates to be added at some point before camp begins in July.
Aaron is worried about an open competition? What a loser. Good luck Steeler nation.
It doesn’t say he’s worried about an open competition. It says he won’t sign with the Saints. And that’s because he’s going to play for the Steelers. It just hasn’t been announced.
At Mustard Tiger: ‘the 41-year-old confirmed he will not sign with the Saints. In the wake of Derek Carr‘s retirement, it became clear New Orleans would hold an open competition amongst the team’s remaining passers for the starting gig.’.
I’d say he’s clearly afraid of an open competition from that sentence.
That’s just bad writing.
I think it’s truthful writing. Aaron doesn’t want competition. A new 2nd round QB pick in NOLA or go ‘against Mason Rudolph, a 6th round pick, & Skylar Thompson’?
The Saints are holding an open competition among the players already on their team, they don’t want Rodgers. It isn’t his choice.
I agree with that statement.
How any franchise could go all in with this clown is stunning.
He’s earned his own reference in The Boss’ “Glory Days”
Steelers are fools if they sign Rodgers now. He played them like fools so let’s see if they are. He was great at one time now he a drama actor
Pushing your chips in on this guy is lame. He literally showed you what he brings to the table in the last two years..Injuries, garbage play, and drama. Losing some respect for the Steelers considering they’re on their knees waiting for daddy to make his decision.
Yeah.. Aaron Rodgers is officially Old man Rooney’s daddy!!
The Steelers better hope he doesn’t change his mind because if he does they are screwed and will have to start Will Howard at QB.
Why would the saints even want him?