Aaron Rodgers meets with Pittsburgh Steelers, but no agreement reached

Aaron Rodgers might Nevertheless want to Shift football. He might even do it in Pittsburgh.

The four-time NFL MVP met with the Steelers on Friday, a person with knowledge of the visit told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Gathering was not Created public.

Pittsburgh currently has an Beginning at Signal-caller. Justin Fields, who, along with Russell Wilson, Directed the Steelers to a 10-7 Landmark and a Postseason berth last season, signed with the New York Jets last week. Wilson is a Obtainable agent but does not appear to be part of Pittsburgh’s plans for 2025. The Steelers signed veteran backup Mason Rudolph to a two-year deal earlier this week but Nevertheless have plenty of room on the Lineup for another arm or two.

The 41-year-Aged Rodgers appears to be in no rush to make a decision. He’s spent time in California recently trying to figure out if he wanted to come back for a 21st season.

Rodgers’ methodical approach didn’t sit well with longtime Steelers Guarding Leader Cam Heyward. The four-time All-Pro expressed frustration on his podcast earlier this week.

“Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t,” Heyward said. “It’s that Essential. That’s the pitch. If you want me to recruit, that’s the recruiting pitch. … If you want to be part of it, so be it. If you don’t, no skin off my back.”

Rodgers could be looking to end his Occupation on a more upbeat note Subsequent two turbulent seasons in New York.

A torn left Achilles tendon a handful of snaps into his Primary game with the Jets in 2023 ended his season. He returned last fall at 40 and threw 28 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions but also courted off-the-Pitch drama regularly as the Jets went 5-12.

Pittsburgh Trainer Mike Tomlin has long admired Rodgers, who Directed the Green Bay Packers to a Secure over Tomlin and the Steelers in the Bracket Subsequent the 2010 season. The two have had a handful of memorable in-game interactions since, including last fall when they tipped their metaphorical caps to Every other when Tomlin managed to call timeout before Rodgers could catch Pittsburgh with 12 men on the Pitch during a Steelers’ blowout of the Jets.

Pittsburgh is trying to emerge from a decade of being pretty Outstanding, but never Outstanding while stringing together Victorious season after Victorious season followed by quick Postseason exits.

The Steelers’ Signal-caller room has had a revolving door since Ben Roethlisberger retired after the 2021 season. Whoever gets the Begin in Week 1 in September will be the Club’s fifth Leading Signal-caller in an opener in as many years, Subsequent Roethlisberger, Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett and Fields.

A year after the Steelers signed Wilson on the Inexpensive after his unceremonious exit from Denver, they could be Seizing another flyer on a player with a Hall of Fame resume but plenty of baggage.

Rodgers was traded to the Jets in April 2023 after 18 seasons with the Packers — looking to Assist the franchise end a Bracket drought that dates to the glory Intervals of Joe Namath and the 1968 season.

Rodgers finished his Jets tenure with six wins — including the Secure during which he was injured — in 18 Appearances. His 28 touchdown passes and 3,897 yards passing last year both rank third for a single season in franchise history. But he lacked some Movement Prompt in his return and then dealt with a few additional leg Impairments, including a hamstring ailment that hobbled him.

If Rodgers chooses Pittsburgh, he could be Competing behind an offensive line that had trouble protecting Wilson Overdue in the 2024 season as the Steelers dropped their Last five Matches, including a blowout loss to Baltimore in the Beginning Stage of the playoffs.

Whoever the Signal-caller is will not lack weapons. The Steelers traded for two-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DK Metcalf and signed him to a five-year contract. George Pickens is one of the more talented Deliver catchers in the Division, though he has also Created headlines for petulant behavior both on the Pitch and with the media, and his future in Pittsburgh is uncertain as he enters the Last year of his Primary-year deal.

Throw in steady Snug end Pat Freiermuth and the running back tandem of Jaylen Warren and newly signed Kenneth Gainwell, and the Steelers have some intriguing pieces and a sense of urgency with Heyward in the twilight of his Occupation and outside linebacker T.J. Watt on the back end of his prime.

Rodgers’ prime is long gone. Yet with the 21st Option in a draft Airy on Signal-caller talent and with not much Obtainable on the Uncovered market, the Steelers could decide Rodgers has enough left to keep them Intense while the franchise looks to 2026 for stability at the most Significant position on the Pitch.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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