Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers’ deal is moving slower than a glacier. The 41-year-old QB is yet to make a Steelers decision, and it looks like Tomlin doesn’t care about the franchise’s respect. How? It’s been more than a month, and the Steelers are waiting for Rodgers like a Jacobin cuckoo. Don’t know if Tomlin is tired of what’s going on or not, but the situation reveals something unusual about Mike Tomlin’s character.
Tomlin has been with the Steelers for the past 17 years, and fans, experts have found an unusual change in HC’s way of dealing with things. Mike Florio of NBC Sports talked about this with Myles Simmons the other day, and he was talking about the same. “Yeah, there is a point where it seems like it’s completely contrary to Mike Tomlin’s character to wait indefinitely,” Florio added. The wait for Rodgers is now feeling like a love story. The Steelers and former players are questioning why this desperation is necessary for 41-year-old Rodgers, who will reportedly retire next season. Tomlin usually makes quick decisions.
Florio also added, “And he has said the line of demarcation is training camp. I just think Tomlin recognizes that. Regardless of where Aaron Rodgers is now relative to where he was in his prime or just a few years ago, when he was winning back-to-back MVPs, is, in comparison.” Tomlin’s character and people’s viewpoint of looking at it have changed to some extent.
Tomlin, in the annual meetings, also said that the team is “extremely confident” that Rodgers will join the team. In such hazy and weak talks, Art Rooney II’s statement about the team “will not wait longer” for Rodgers gave a sigh of relief to fans.
But there is also another angle to this story. You must have heard about TJ Watt‘s retirement story. The NFL insider reported after TJ Watt’s Instagram story that it’s maybe the Aaron Rodgers decision that is making 30-year-old Watt think about trade or retirement. Well, let’s see when this story ends. But amid this, let’s check out how the Steelers think about the draft and Shedeur Sanders‘ chances of landing in the Steel City.
Mike Tomlin’s Steelers’ veterans may shun Shedeur Sanders
The Steelers and Mike Tomlin entertained Shedeur Sanders after the Pro Day. They invited him for private workouts at the Steelers facility and for dinner. Everything went well, and the rumors started piling up. However, the Steelers typically don’t do that. Remember Joe Greene or Ben Roethlisberger? The Steelers deal mostly with veterans. These players have played most of the seasons with veteran quarterbacks.
And that’s why Myles Simmons also added, “I know Steelers are known for stability.” Cam Heyward, TJ Watt these players have experience playing with veterans who have been with the Steelers for a long time. And that’s why the reports think the Steelers veterans would not want the franchise to pick Shedeur Sanders. It doesn’t mean they want a veteran like Aaron Rodgers, but what Mike Florio and Myles Simmons discussed were the characteristics of the Steelers.
Let’s see if the Steelers can make the Aaron Rodgers decision final or if they pick up any draft prospect and go against the tradition. Picking up a new and younger talent and nurturing it for years would make a great deal for Mike Tomlin’s Steelers.
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