Aaron Rodgers still hasn't made a decision on where he'll play in 2025, or whether he'll play at all.
Rodgers appeared on today's Pat McAfee Show to "set the record straight" on a lot of reports about him. The main thing he wanted to set straight is that he's not stringing teams along, holding any of them hostage, waiting on the Vikings to change their mind or holding out for a gigantic multiyear contract.
Rodgers is remaining fluid, with his sole focus currently being on sensitive issues within his personal life. From that, he's open to continuing his career or possibly retiring.
"I told every single one of the teams, it ain't about the money. I said I'll play for ($10 million). Whatever," Rodgers said. "I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. So yeah, retirement still could be a possibility. But right now my focus has been and will continue to be on my personal life."
Rodgers touched on a number of topics for nearly 45 minutes, but talked plenty about his free agency process and his dialogue with the Steelers:
Rodgers said he has up front with all of the teams he's negotiated with from the very beginning about the issues he's dealing with. That aligns with what Mike Tomlin hinted at during the NFL annual meeting regarding their conversations with Rodgers. I also know, through sources I spoke with at the annual meeting, that communication has remained open between the two sides and that Rodgers hasn't kept them in the dark.
"We've had some discussions," Tomlin said. "But I'll leave it between he and I."
Rodgers did speak highly of his visit with the Steelers. He had great things to say about his meeting at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with Art Rooney II, Tomlin, Omar Khan, Arthur Smith and Tom Arth. Rodgers said he and Arth were in the same quarterback room in 2006 under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay.
"I've talked to Mike Tomlin. He's more than I even thought from afar as far as the type of person that he is. I have a lot of respect for what he's accomplished in the league," Rodgers said. "Arthur Smith ... I mean, talk about a guy that doesn't need to work. He doesn't need to work, but he's a grinder. We've had a friendship for a couple years now. I just like what he's all about. I like when he's on (the Pat McAfee Show)."
"It's different than when you're talking on the phone," Rodgers continued about his visit. "It's different in person. Personally, I wanted to see what it was like there. See the facility, get to meet Omar in person, get a glimpse, get a snippet of what life would be like in Pittsburgh. I thought it was important to go see it in person."
Rodgers also spoke highly of DK Metcalf, who he threw with at UCLA during the last weekend in March.
"I wanted to do due diligence with this whole process, and part of it is talking to a guy like DK, and let me say this, what a great dude who loves football and what a specimen this guy is," Rodgers said. "I've had a few conversations with DK. I just think he's a super guy. Part of the process with this whole thing is seeing how my body is, how it responds, how I feel. I'm 41 years old. I take pretty damn good care of myself, but I wanted to see how I felt to throw with DK, how the juices felt and how the ball came out. It's all those little things and also just get to know DK. Like I said, that's a really good human being."
The frustrating part of this for fans is there's still no end in sight for if and when Rodgers will sign. He gave no indication of when he will make a decision. One reason for that is because he said it requires an "all in" effort once committed to a team, and the personal issues he's dealing with are preventing him from doing that.
If the Steelers decide enough is enough, Rodgers is aware of it. He also said that no matter what teams do in the draft, like if the Steelers draft a quarterback, it won't affect his own decision. Finally, as Tomlin did at the NFL annual meeting, Rodgers said there's no deadline set by the Steelers.
"Listen, this entire time I haven’t felt like I owed somebody any decision at some point," Rodgers said. "I’ve been upfront with them about that. If you need to move on, call me, by all means. ... There’s been no deadline. And yeah, I’ve talked to Mike T many times."
Rodgers does appeared to have helped shed a little light on the situation. No, it's not bringing this saga to an end. But, it helps contextualize Tomlin's attitude when talking 17 days ago at the NFL annual meeting. He led on that he knew way more than he would say. At the very least, Rodgers confirmed that today.
"I don't think that it is fair to the Steelers or anyone to make a decision when I'm dealing with a lot off the field (issues)," Rodgers said. "At the same time, I want to keep the lines of communications open and that's why I've talked to all the important people. The people that need to know, know what's going on."
Bottom line: The ball is fully in the Steelers' court. They don't have to wait on Rodgers. They can cut the cord whenever they want. Rodgers said as much today. He sounded genuinely excited for if things happen with the Steelers. He spoke highly of Tomlin, Smith, Arth and Metcalf. So, if they wait it out, they might be getting a rejuvenated Rodgers.
However, they have to operate as if he won't sign with them. They can't let this impact the draft. And, again, this is why they signed Mason Rudolph. He's their safety net in case Rodgers falls through.
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THE ASYLUM
Chris Halicke
6:08 pm - 04.17.2025DowntownRodgers still deciding his future
Aaron Rodgers still hasn't made a decision on where he'll play in 2025, or whether he'll play at all.
Rodgers appeared on today's Pat McAfee Show to "set the record straight" on a lot of reports about him. The main thing he wanted to set straight is that he's not stringing teams along, holding any of them hostage, waiting on the Vikings to change their mind or holding out for a gigantic multiyear contract.
Rodgers is remaining fluid, with his sole focus currently being on sensitive issues within his personal life. From that, he's open to continuing his career or possibly retiring.
"I told every single one of the teams, it ain't about the money. I said I'll play for ($10 million). Whatever," Rodgers said. "I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. So yeah, retirement still could be a possibility. But right now my focus has been and will continue to be on my personal life."
Rodgers touched on a number of topics for nearly 45 minutes, but talked plenty about his free agency process and his dialogue with the Steelers:
Rodgers said he has up front with all of the teams he's negotiated with from the very beginning about the issues he's dealing with. That aligns with what Mike Tomlin hinted at during the NFL annual meeting regarding their conversations with Rodgers. I also know, through sources I spoke with at the annual meeting, that communication has remained open between the two sides and that Rodgers hasn't kept them in the dark.
"We've had some discussions," Tomlin said. "But I'll leave it between he and I."
Rodgers did speak highly of his visit with the Steelers. He had great things to say about his meeting at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex with Art Rooney II, Tomlin, Omar Khan, Arthur Smith and Tom Arth. Rodgers said he and Arth were in the same quarterback room in 2006 under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay.
"I've talked to Mike Tomlin. He's more than I even thought from afar as far as the type of person that he is. I have a lot of respect for what he's accomplished in the league," Rodgers said. "Arthur Smith ... I mean, talk about a guy that doesn't need to work. He doesn't need to work, but he's a grinder. We've had a friendship for a couple years now. I just like what he's all about. I like when he's on (the Pat McAfee Show)."
"It's different than when you're talking on the phone," Rodgers continued about his visit. "It's different in person. Personally, I wanted to see what it was like there. See the facility, get to meet Omar in person, get a glimpse, get a snippet of what life would be like in Pittsburgh. I thought it was important to go see it in person."
Rodgers also spoke highly of DK Metcalf, who he threw with at UCLA during the last weekend in March.
"I wanted to do due diligence with this whole process, and part of it is talking to a guy like DK, and let me say this, what a great dude who loves football and what a specimen this guy is," Rodgers said. "I've had a few conversations with DK. I just think he's a super guy. Part of the process with this whole thing is seeing how my body is, how it responds, how I feel. I'm 41 years old. I take pretty damn good care of myself, but I wanted to see how I felt to throw with DK, how the juices felt and how the ball came out. It's all those little things and also just get to know DK. Like I said, that's a really good human being."
The frustrating part of this for fans is there's still no end in sight for if and when Rodgers will sign. He gave no indication of when he will make a decision. One reason for that is because he said it requires an "all in" effort once committed to a team, and the personal issues he's dealing with are preventing him from doing that.
If the Steelers decide enough is enough, Rodgers is aware of it. He also said that no matter what teams do in the draft, like if the Steelers draft a quarterback, it won't affect his own decision. Finally, as Tomlin did at the NFL annual meeting, Rodgers said there's no deadline set by the Steelers.
"Listen, this entire time I haven’t felt like I owed somebody any decision at some point," Rodgers said. "I’ve been upfront with them about that. If you need to move on, call me, by all means. ... There’s been no deadline. And yeah, I’ve talked to Mike T many times."
Rodgers does appeared to have helped shed a little light on the situation. No, it's not bringing this saga to an end. But, it helps contextualize Tomlin's attitude when talking 17 days ago at the NFL annual meeting. He led on that he knew way more than he would say. At the very least, Rodgers confirmed that today.
"I don't think that it is fair to the Steelers or anyone to make a decision when I'm dealing with a lot off the field (issues)," Rodgers said. "At the same time, I want to keep the lines of communications open and that's why I've talked to all the important people. The people that need to know, know what's going on."
Bottom line: The ball is fully in the Steelers' court. They don't have to wait on Rodgers. They can cut the cord whenever they want. Rodgers said as much today. He sounded genuinely excited for if things happen with the Steelers. He spoke highly of Tomlin, Smith, Arth and Metcalf. So, if they wait it out, they might be getting a rejuvenated Rodgers.
However, they have to operate as if he won't sign with them. They can't let this impact the draft. And, again, this is why they signed Mason Rudolph. He's their safety net in case Rodgers falls through.
Want to participate in our comments?
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Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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