This offseason, Aaron Rodgers is the most talked about quarterback. No one can doubt that. Since he bid adieu to the New York Jets, his next move has become the talk of the town. You know what? He did something which he hadn’t done before! We will talk about it later. First, there’s a most awaited update on A-Rod: Where is he heading now?
Rodgers wished to land in Minnesota, but they rejected. Now, he has two options left: the Pittsburgh Steelers and New York Giants. For NY, the talk is on hold at present. However, for the Steel City, a major update came out!
According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, who appeared in Friday’s episode of The Rich Eisen Show, Aaron Rodgers went to the $5.3 billion Steelers and met the coaches. Remember, we told you Rodgers did something that he hasn’t done before? This is the same thing – as per the journalist, “Aaron Rogers was in the Steelers facility this morning… He spent some time with coaches. Rodger has been talking to people in the organization for a while now… This is the first time though, that Aaron Rogers has taken an actual visit to a team.” So, does that mean, A-Rod is serious about playing the next season with the Steelers? Uh… Is that thought like a “Usain Bolt sprint”?
Despite Aaron Rodgers visiting the club on his own, he went without signing with the team. Hence, as per Pelissero, “My understanding is he had been planning to leave right around this time. So, physically I don’t have a GPS tracker on him, Rich, but that was supposed to be wrapping up right around now.” Does that mean since the deal is not imminent, Rodgers will ditch both the Steelers and Giants, and then kick the can down the road?
Well, this deal looks like a wait-and-watch situation. But one thing is sure, Aaron Rodgers has just made things interesting. Visiting the Steelers’ facility, and leaving without signing ignited a serious conversation. The show host brought up the same topic. Eisen pointed out that if a team really wants a player, they usually don’t let him leave without signing. But as per Pelissero, “Rodgers is doing his own process and it’s not like anybody else’s process.” No one can deny that.
The Giants and the Steelers are waiting on the decision, and so is Rodgers. But taking a look at the present situation, Pelissero quipped, “There’s certainly been a lot of signs that he (Rodgers) is seriously considering playing his 21st NFL season in Pittsburgh…He is motivated to put the requisite time into this. (He) is not going to be a part-time quarterback, he’s going to be motivated to go out and finish his career the right way.” The one-time Super Bowl champion won’t take the part-time route.
So, the possibility is he would come back to the Steelers. But yes, we can’t lose the Giants option as well. Or even his speculated decision like – “I don’t feel great about either option and I’m going to wait and see what else develops.” Anything can happen!
Is Aaron Rodgers seriously going into the Steelers?
According to ESPN Senior NFL insider Adam Schefter on X, “Aaron Rodgers spent about six hours at the Steelers’ training facility today, meeting with their coaches. It was said to be a positive visit, and the two sides will stay in touch.” This means the two are indeed on positive terms. But his leaving without signing raises eyebrows. So, now we know that Rodgers isn’t in a rush to make a move towards any approaching team. However, his methodological approach didn’t sit well with the Steelers’s defensive captain.
Cam Heyward, who joined a podcast earlier this week, said, “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t, it’s that simple. That’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. Pittsburgh Steelers. If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.” Hmm… Heyward is quite upset with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Well, that’s perhaps the same feeling by the rest of the Steelers fans.
It’s true that “in the old days of free agency, especially it was ‘hey if you get the guy in the building, don’t let him leave. Because then if he gets on that plane, he’s probably going to the next place. With Aaron, you know, Aaron’s got to make up his mind and he’s got two teams right now that have put everything else on hold for him.” But for how long?
But let us remind you that Mike Tomlin isn’t just sitting back waiting for the four-time MVP. Although he is “fine” in waiting for Aaron Rodgers, his team is also eyeing for a draft pick. According to a report, “#Steelers are very high on Old Miss QB Jaxson Dart.” Yes, he is another QB who could make a surprise jump on Day 1 of the NFL Draft. Hence, we have yet to see what path the Steelers will choose for themselves.
The post Aaron Rodgers’ True Free Agency Intentions Revealed by NFL Insider After QB’s Visit With $5.3B Franchise appeared first on EssentiallySports.
