Aaron Rodgers’ rocky stint with the Jets seems to have sparked a longing for the past.
As the 41-year-old quarterback continues to ponder his NFL future — which could potentially lead him to Pittsburgh or back to the tri-state area with the Giants — Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported Monday that Rodgers “is looking for a culture such as the one in Green Bay,” where he played the first 18 years of his career.
The Steelers, with whom Rodgers visited Friday, have “a long-established culture, a family-business feel, and stability, just like Green Bay,” noted Breer, who added it’s an “area where the Steelers have an edge.”
Pittsburgh’s stacked roster of veterans, like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt, “are deep into their careers and presumably would carry a similar win-now urgency to Rodgers,” according to Breer.
Although the Giants are considered a storied franchise, Breer expressed the team has “some, but not all those elements” previously detailed with Pittsburgh.
Rodgers visited the Steelers’ facility late last week and met with general manager Omar Khan, head coach Mike Tomlin and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette first reported. He arrived at 9 a.m. and left around 3 p.m.
The visit was described as “positive” and “the two sides agreed to stay in touch,” per ESPN.
Rodgers was released by the Jets this offseason after two unremarkable seasons.
He was traded to Gang Green in 2023 following an ugly breakup with the Packers — a team he allegedly wanted out of as far back as 2021.
After a rough two seasons, it appears Rodgers is keen to take his time before deciding what’s next.
A four-time league MVP, Rodgers closed out the 2024 season throwing for 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 games.
