With Justin Fields agreeing to a deal with the New York Jets, the Pittsburgh Steelers have to pivot at quarterback. Unfortunately, many of the free-agent signal callers are already snatched up. The Steelers are running out of options. It looks like they could turn to Aaron Rodgers, which some fans might not like. Rodgers has been involved in a ton of drama over the past few years, and the Steelers don’t need any more of that. However, analyst Sam Monson believes Mike Tomlin is the man to handle Rodgers.
“Mike Tomlin is another fascinating combination with Aaron Rodgers for slightly different reasons because Tomlin, I think, is the guy that will win the battle of wills with Rodgers,” Monson said recently on his Check the Mic podcast. “So, whether or not he’s the guy that’s got the answers, like this is what you need to do.
“Theoretically, that’s Arthur Smith’s gig in Pittsburgh, but Tomlin is the guy that’s going to shut down the Rodgers bullshit, being like, ‘Dude, you are doing this, otherwise sit your ass on the bench, and I will play whoever my equivalent this year of Duck Hodges is for 17 games. Sit down or do what you’re told.'”
Tomlin does have a history of adroitly managing big personalities. Antonio Brown is probably the most notable example. For nine years, Tomlin managed to keep Brown’s eccentricity and ego under wraps. In comparison, Brown had rough stints with the Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
There are other examples, too. George Pickens is a current player with attitude issues that Tomlin manages. While Rodgers has been under a ton of scrutiny recently, his time with the New York Jets might have changed his mindset. He was supposed to help them contend for a Super Bowl, but instead, they were terrible. That’s probably not how Rodgers wants to be remembered.
Also, not everyone has bad things to say about Rodgers. Many of his former teammates have praised him. While an offense featuring Rodgers, Pickens, and DK Metcalf seems like a disaster waiting to happen, Tomlin might be able to get them to jell.
Rodgers also likely wouldn’t sign with the Steelers on a long-term deal. Pittsburgh’s future shouldn’t be tied to him. Therefore, Tomlin should have no reservations about disciplining Rodgers if he needs to. If Rodgers does become a problem in the locker room, Tomlin should be able to handle it.
Maybe Rodgers in Pittsburgh would be a disaster. However, at this point, he might be the best option left for them. Tomlin is known for his ability to manage locker rooms. This season could really put that to the test.
