Steelers discussions are going to center on Aaron Rodgers for the foreseeable future, unless he fails to sign. I say that now both as a courtesy and as a warning, because if Aaron Rodgers comes to down, so does the circus. The Steelers must hope, though, that he brings more than clowns with him and can still justify top billing.
While the Steelers seemingly prioritized re-signing Justin Fields—yet failed to—and also entered reportedly discussions with Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers always felt like the alternative possibility. Considering their evident preference for him over Russell Wilson, I think that speaks for itself.
Despite reported philosophical issues between Wilson and the team, he seemed to fit in well enough. His personality might wear thin at times, but his teammates seemed receptive to him. That isn’t generally Aaron Rodgers’ reputation, but Mike Mayock doesn’t see that being a problem with Mike Tomlin and the Steelers.
“I know Mike Tomlin pretty well, and Mike has no problem with direct communication”, Mayock said on the Rich Eisen Show discussing Aaron Rodgers possibly signing with the Steelers. “It’s gonna be run his way. Even though Aaron brings a certain circus to town, I don’t think he’s in a negotiating position at this point in his career to be anything more than a really good teammate—which he is anyway; he’s a good teammate”.
For what it’s worth, Rodgers’ Jets teammates voted him their most inspirational teammate last year. “He loves his teammates, and his teammates love him”, former Jets HC Robert Saleh said at the time. And he clearly did have good relationships with some, particularly his wide receivers, especially Davante Adams. If Rodgers signed with the Steelers, of course, he wouldn’t have Adams, but he would have DK Metcalf.
Mayock’s broader point is that he doesn’t believe the future Hall-of-Fame quarterback is in any position to enforce his image upon a new team, especially not a staple franchise. If Aaron Rodgers were to sign with the Steelers, he said, they would “have to do it the Pittsburgh way. Heavy run game, play-action. I think Aaron could do some of that. He can still throw the football, and I think he’ll be a better player than he was last year coming off the Achilles. I think he can be in play in Pittsburgh as long as he understands the fit, the role, and that the general in that building is Mike Tomlin”.
I do think there is some credence to that, and the situation is not dissimilar to last year’s. Russell Wilson also has a large personality, even if it’s very different from Aaron Rodgers, but the Steelers did not allow him to impose his will on them.
No matter his former greatness or how good he can be now, Rodgers understands he is coming from a compromised position. He is a few years removed from his last winning record and posted a five-win season after coming off a major injury. He is not in a position to dictate terms. And Mike Tomlin is not the sort of head coach who would allow that.
