We're now through the negotiating period and on the other side of the new NFL year, but the Steelers still don't have a quarterback. At this rate, it seems very clear: The Steelers believe they have a legitimate chance for Aaron Rodgers to be their quarterback.

So, what's the holdup? What's taking so long?

Here's what we do know: The Steelers have talked with Rodgers and made a contract offer. The Giants are also in the running for Rodgers, and the Vikings are rumored to be interested, as well. Anything beyond that, nobody really knows other than the ball's in his court.

Reports of contract numbers or anything like that, nobody really knows. Those are guesses. But, a closer look at the evidence suggests the Steelers are dead set on making Rodgers the quarterback in 2025.

First, it's beyond clear Russell Wilson is not the Steelers' Plan B, and may not even be their Plan C. If he was Plan B, he would have been signed moments after Justin Fields agreed to terms with the Jets. Instead, the Steelers pivoted to Rodgers and have been in a holding pattern since. And now, Wilson is going to visit in-person with the Browns and Giants on Thursday.

Should the Steelers get to Thursday night with nobody signed, when they're at higher risk of losing Wilson to another team, that'll be the proverbial exclamation point on what Dejan Kovacevic and I have been reporting all along: There are many in the organization who don't want Wilson back.

And it's not like the rest of the options are exactly glowing. Mac Jones is no longer available. Neither is Jacoby Brissett or Marcus Mariota. Those three agreed to contracts on Wednesday. The rest of the pack are all backups, including Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, Cooper Rush and Carson Wentz.

Thanks to DK's reporting, we know the Steelers have reached out to Mason Rudolph's camp and that the former third-round pick of the team is open to a reunion. We know that the initial plan there is for Rudolph to be in some sort of support role, and the only name that came up in those conversations as the potential starter was ... Rodgers.

With the lack of options remaining, the complete disregard for Wilson throughout this process, it truly appears to be Rodgers or bust for the Steelers. As it's typically been with Rodgers, all the attention is on him. And it's not like the Jets are holding things up with his release. Rodgers has been officially cut with a post-June 1 designation. He's now a free agent.

Thursday might be a pivotal day for this situation. Will Omar Khan and the Steelers continue to play the game with Rodgers while he stares at more sunsets in Malibu? Or, will they say enough is enough and pivot to another plan?