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.”
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.
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.
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.
