If quarterback Aaron Rodgers gets the ideal place to end his NFL career, it’ll be with the Pittsburgh Steelers. That’s how Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio understands the situation, reporting Monday night that Rodgers wants to join Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh.
“Here’s my understanding of what’s going on,” Florio said in a video for the NFL on NBC YouTube channel. “He wants to play for the Steelers. He probably will end up in Pittsburgh.”
In an article on the same topic, Florio notes a deal between Pittsburgh and Rodgers could occur by Tuesday. It officially can’t be completed until Wednesday when the Jets officially release him, allowing them to designate Rodgers as a post-June 1st cut for salary cap purposes.
Though under contract, outside teams like the Steelers are permitted to speak with Rodgers and his agency because the Jets have publicly declared they will release him. Pittsburgh isn’t running afoul of tampering.
Rumors over Rodgers and the Steelers ramped up early Monday morning with ESPN’s Adam Schefter reporting he was in serious consideration for Pittsburgh. That made more sense as the first day of legal tampering progressed. Justin Fields left to sign with the New York Jets. Sam Darnold agreed to a deal with the Minnesota Vikings. It gives Pittsburgh few options left and ostensibly, the team isn’t interested in re-signing Russell Wilson despite publicly stating a desire to bring back one of their own.
Though an admitted “semi-educated guess,” Florio floats the idea that Rodgers will sign a two-year deal worth $90 million, $40 million of it guaranteed.
Florio notes the New York Giants remain in the mix and could win Rodgers over with a big contract offer. Structure of a deal is one reason why Fields left for the Jets after Pittsburgh reportedly didn’t offer guaranteed money past the first year in their offer.
“The Giants could still snatch him by making the kind of financial offer that isn’t in the same ballpark as where the Steelers are now,” Florio said of Rodgers’ outlook.
Still, Rodgers has made nearly $400 million in his NFL career and doesn’t need to chase every dollar. Pittsburgh gives him more stability, a better chance to win, stronger supporting cast, and a less-media crazed market even if the national media will follow every move he makes.
Finally, Florio believes Rodgers is considering playing for two more seasons and Pittsburgh gives him a greater chance of doing that than in New York.
If the Steelers wanted Russell Wilson back, he’d be re-signed. The fact he hasn’t means Pittsburgh wants to turn to someone else. And that someone else, essentially the only viable name left, is Aaron Rodgers.
