EXCLUSIVEPittsburgh Steelers consider abandoning Aaron Rodgers deal in huge blow to his hopes of NFL return

EXCLUSIVEPittsburgh Steelers consider abandoning Aaron Rodgers deal in huge blow to his hopes of NFL return

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now having reservations about signing Aaron Rodgers, DailyMail.com understands. 

The veteran quarterback has been rumored to be signing with Mike Tomlin’s team for weeks after he was released by the New York Jets.

Rodgers had interest from the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants but both opted against signing the 41-year-old, which severely reduced his options to play in the NFL next season.

The Super Bowl champion then had a visit with the Steelers, who lost quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson this offseason, and it was reported to have gone well.

But Rodgers has still not come to a decision as to where, or if, he wants to play football next season, which has irked some within the Steelers organization. 

Now, with just under two weeks to go until the NFL draft, it is understood the Steelers are considering abandoning their pursuit of Rodgers and going in a different direction.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now having reservations about signing Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are now having reservations about signing Aaron Rodgers

The veteran quarterback has been rumored to be joining Mike Tomlin's team for weeks

The veteran quarterback has been rumored to be joining Mike Tomlin’s team for weeks

Read MoreEXCLUSIVE REAL reason Aaron Rodgers is delaying NFL free agency decision and is in Brett Favre crisis talks article image

A source said: ‘The Steelers are starting to lean towards not signing Aaron Rodgers. 

‘It was all but a forgone conclusion that he was going to join the team, and he still might but the waiting is taking its toll on the players that are already there, the team chemistry and coach Mike Tomlin. 

‘Being a week removed from the NFL draft, the team has to figure out what they will be this upcoming season, and it would be nice to have Aaron sign, but if he is going to hold out, they are becoming fine with it.

‘If he doesn’t sign with them before the draft, they are very likely going to move on from pursuing him. Aaron isn’t getting any younger, he is not their QB of the future and they don’t want to look desperate. 

‘Aaron is not doing himself any favors sitting on his thumbs and not signing, he might have inadvertently forced himself into retirement.’

The source added: ‘The Steelers want an answer 100 per cent either way in the beginning of next week after the holiday. They are giving him one last chance.’

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said only two weeks ago that there were ‘positive signs’ that Rodgers will play in Pittsburgh.

The four-time NFL MVP also worked out recently with new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf after previously visiting the team.

Rodgers had interest from the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants after leaving the Jets

Rodgers had interest from the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants after leaving the Jets

‘We keep hearing that he´s heading in our direction so that seems to be all signs are positive so far,’ Rooney told reporters at the NFL meetings.

Tomlin revealed he´s staying in touch with Rodgers and is comfortable with Mason Rudolph as the starting quarterback.

‘That´s why we brought him back,’ Tomlin said. ‘I´m comfortable with that. And we´ve been there before.’

The Steelers hold the 21st overall pick in the draft. Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart is a possibility whether the 41-year-old Rodgers signs with the team or not. 

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