Jan 5, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on during the first quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images

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Would Aaron Rodgers Prefer This Team Over the Steelers? Former Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger Backs Aaron Rodgers’ Arrival

The Aaron Rodgers saga just won't end!

This offseason has seen quite a few player movements, as is generally the case every year. There are always a few high-profile trades or free agent signings that make headlines, and then there are long-lasting contract holdouts as well.

Generally, though, what we don’t get to see is a top-level free agent quarterback biding his time while teams get tired and either sign other free agents or take a signal caller in the draft. Enter former Packers and Jets signal caller, Aaron Rodgers.

The Aaron Rodgers saga started back in mid-February when the New York Jets announced their plans to move on from the 4-time MVP. At that point in time, there were multiple teams in the mix to sign Rodgers. As it stands, the Browns and the Giants have solved their QB issues at least for this season.

The only real team in need of a starting signal-caller at present is the Pittsburgh Steelers. As per reports, the Steelers have met with Rodgers, and the Super Bowl XLV MVP was also seen throwing balls to Pittsburgh’s new addition, DK Metcalf. However, ever since then, everything has gone dry.

The Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph as their primary QB, followed by rookie Will Howard, and then Skylar Thompson on their depth chart. So, they still have a clear need for Rodgers. But, the question still remains, what is keeping Rodgers from signing with them?

Former Steeler Ben Roethlisberger on Why Rodgers Hasn’t Signed With Pittsburgh

There could be multiple reasons why Rodgers has not signed with the Steelers, or did not sign with any other team until now. However, Ben Roethlisberger, who had a long and wonderful career with the Steelers under center, mentioned in his ‘Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger’ podcast the reason why he thinks Rodgers is yet to sign with the Steelers.

“I think Aaron secretly, again, just my opinion, I think Aaron is secretly still holding out for Minnesota, which is why he hasn’t signed with the Steelers. Why else would you go throw to DK and be working out, and put it out blast to everybody that I’m throwing to these guys, but you won’t sign?”

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Why Minnesota Makes Sense for Rodgers

If you look at the Vikings and the Steelers, both teams have a strong roster and are built to win. But, from the outside, looking in, it just feels like the Vikings may have the better shot at reaching or getting closer to the Super Bowl than the Steelers.

Furthermore, the fit for Rodgers in Minnesota will be smoother given that the Vikings under Kevin O’Connell run a quarterback-friendly offense. Additionally, Rodgers would have the likes of Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to, which is no disrespect to Metcalf, George Pickens, and the Steelers’ receiver room. It’s just that Rodgers would have first-hand experience of what it is like with the Vikings, having played them many times in the NFC North.

What Roethlisberger has said is also in line with what former Packer and Rodgers’ mentor Brett Favre did during his final seasons in the league. Favre went from the Packers to the Jets for one year, and then to the Vikings for his last two seasons. And, earlier in the offseason, Favre had also expressed his desire that Rodgers should sign with the Vikings.

Are the Vikings Interested in Rodgers?

If all the above is to be believed, Rodgers is still hoping for that call from Minnesota. The only problem is, the Vikings genuinely do not seem interested in signing the 41-year-old. Why do I say that?

It’s because the Vikings’ QB room consisted of J.J. McCarthy and Brett Rypien prior to the draft on April 24. On April 26, on the last day of the draft, the Vikings traded for quarterback Sam Howell and then signed UDFA quarterback Max Brosmer to fill up the room. What’s more, news also came forth that McCarthy feels ready to go and to lead the team as the starter once the new season begins. So, what does all this mean for Rodgers? It seems the only logical place left for the 10-time Pro Bowler is in Pittsburgh, whether he likes it or not.

Aaron Rodgers

Minnesota Vikings

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Pittsburgh Steelers

Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!