What Steelers owner didn’t see coming in Aaron Rodgers free-agency saga

What Steelers owner didn’t see coming in Aaron Rodgers free-agency saga

Steelers owner Art Rooney II has no qualms about playing the Aaron Rodgers waiting game a little bit longer as momentum continues to build around the four-time league MVP potentially signing with his team.

Speaking Tuesday at the NFL owners meeting in Palm Beach, Fla., Rooney said he feels “pretty good” about the free-agency developments, even though he “didn’t envision it taking this long.”

“We keep hearing that he’s headed in our direction,” Rooney said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’d say we feel pretty good about it at this time.”

Aaron Rodgers has drawn heavy interest from the Steelers this offseason. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Steelers owner Art Rooney II spoke about Aaron Rodgers at the NFL owners meetings in the spring of 2025. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

Rodgers, 41, has been taking his time deciding what’s next in his Hall of Fame career, whether that’s possibly playing for Pittsburgh, another NFL contender or even hanging his cleats up for good.

The Super Bowl-winning quarterback is coming off two unremarkable seasons with the Jets, who brought him in via a 2023 blockbuster trade with the Packers, a move that came with championship aspirations.

Rodgers played in all 17 regular-season games for the Jets in 2024, one year after he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, and threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

Aaron Rodgers spent the past two seasons with the Jets. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

Upon his release from the Jets, Rodgers drew interest from the Steelers and Giants, who have since signed former Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal. While the Jets added Wilson’s backup, Justin Fields, in free agency.

Although Rooney wasn’t present for Rodgers’ visit to the Steelers’ facility last month, he connected with the veteran quarterback over the phone that day.

The Steelers are looking for a new starting QB following the departures of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields. Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Even as a one-year offer remains on the table, Rodgers hasn’t wasted time developing on-field chemistry with his potential new teammates.

On Monday, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the quarterback met up with newly extended Steelers receiver D.K. Metcalf at UCLA for a throwing session, something Rooney viewed as a positive.

“All signs are positive so far,” Rooney said, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Though Pittsburgh brᴀss might feel “good” about the possibility of a Rodgers union, they probably won’t breathe that sigh of relief until the deal finally crosses the finish line.

The Steelers finished the season at 10-7 and were bounced by the Ravens in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Related Posts

Patriots delete controversial ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ NFL Draft post over link to Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl show

Patriots delete controversial ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ NFL Draft post over link to Kendrick Lamar Super Bowl show

The Patriots deleted a stunning social media post after celebrating their selection of ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ in the NFL Draft. New England used the very last pick of…

BREAKING NEWSNFL coach Jeff Ulbrich’s son confesses to cruel Shedeur Sanders draft prank call as he begs for forgiveness

BREAKING NEWSNFL coach Jeff Ulbrich’s son confesses to cruel Shedeur Sanders draft prank call as he begs for forgiveness

Jax Ulbrich, the son of Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, has confessed to prank calling Shedeur Sanders during the NFL Draft. Sanders, who was selected in…

BREAKING NEWSNFL Draft rocked by second cruel prank call with disturbing similarities to Shedeur Sanders’ brutal humiliation

BREAKING NEWSNFL Draft rocked by second cruel prank call with disturbing similarities to Shedeur Sanders’ brutal humiliation

Shedeur Sanders was not the only NFL hopeful who was cruelly prank called during the Draft, it has emerged. The Colorado pᴀsser – who ultimately waited five…

BREAKING NEWSNFL to take action over brutal Shedeur Sanders prank call after QB was trolled amid draft humiliation

BREAKING NEWSNFL to take action over brutal Shedeur Sanders prank call after QB was trolled amid draft humiliation

The NFL has announced that it will be talking action over the cruel draft day prank call to Shedeur Sanders.  The 23-year-old had been tipped by some…

Revealed: How Shedeur Sanders’ brother Shilo turned on dad Deion amid NFL Draft humiliation

Revealed: How Shedeur Sanders’ brother Shilo turned on dad Deion amid NFL Draft humiliation

Amid a brutal NFL Draft weekend for his family, Shilo Sanders actually fired his father, Deion, as his agent. Shilo’s brother, Shedeur, – at one point tipped…

Shilo Sanders signed with Buccaneers after being ignored in NFL draft

Shilo Sanders signed with Buccaneers after being ignored in NFL draft

Shilo Sanders had to wait even longer than his free-falling younger brother to find out his new NFL team. The Colorado safety, and brother of quarterback Shedeur…