The Pittsburgh Steelers are one retirement away from putting Mike Tomlin’s record-breaking streak in major jeopardy.
The 53-year-old head coach holds the record for most consecutive non-losing seasons to begin a career with 18.
Rodgers has maintained radio silence on his futureAFPBut if Aaron Rodgers decides to walk away from the game, Tomlin may have fallen foul of the classic adage of putting too many eggs in one basket.
Pittsburgh has a solid roster, especially on defense, and trading for DK Metcalf is a huge upgrade to the receiver room, even with the loss of George Pickens.
But there are serious concerns over who will be throwing him the ball with Mason Rudolph, who has already flamed out with the Steelers, former Miami Dolphins backup Skylar Thompson and sixth-round rookie Will Howard in a threadbare QB room.
A contract is believed to be on the table, but there have been no updates about when — if ever — ink will be hitting the page, with Rodgers telling Pat McAfee that ‘personal issues’ had affected the timeframe in April
Tomlin clearly has faith after opting not to take a passer in the NFL Draft or target a free agent before the pool ran dry.
But sports biographer Ian O’Connor — something of an expert on Rodgers and his mercurial ways — has given a positive update for Pittsburgh fans when asked about the delay.
“Talking to a couple of people close to Aaron, I have a sense of what it might be,” O’Connor told 93.7 The Fan. “I’m not comfortable reporting it right now, but I don’t think it would prevent him from playing football with the Steelers.
“I just think verbally, behind the scenes, not that he guaranteed it, but he’s told (the Steelers), ‘Listen, I’m gonna play for you. I just don’t want to go there and then miss part of mandatory minicamp because of my personal issues.
“I’m pretty sure they’re gonna be solved by the end of May, at least in my satisfaction where I can give you my all.’ I think that’s where he is.”
O’Connor is the author of Rodgers’ biography — the aptly named Out Of The Darkness: The Mystery Of Aaron Rodgers — which was released in 2024.
Rodgers’ time in New Jersey did not go to planGetty Tomlin has taken a gamble on Rodgers signingGettyHe expects the four-time MVP to avoid the situation that spelled doom for his final season as a New York Jet before it began and be in uniform for mandatory minicamp.
“I do think there will be a happy ending, at least for him and we will find out for the Steelers and their fan base,” he added. “If I had $100 to put down, my feeling is he will be in uniform June 10, for the start of the mandatory minicamp.”
Steelers fans will hope Rodgers has another Super Bowl in him if he does decide to join, but his close friend thinks that may be a tough ask.
“I actually think this is, maybe me as an optimist, I think this is going to work out,” O’Connor said. “Do I think the Steelers are going to win the Super Bowl? No, but if you told me 11-6 with at least one playoff victory, the first with that franchise since 2016, I think that’s realistic.
“I think that this could be a success story, and certainly a worthy ending for him.”
Iconic NFL broadcaster Jim Nantz believes that the NFL as a whole needs Rodgers, not just the franchise that is courting him.
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Nantz will call several Pittsburgh games this season alongside Tony Romo and joked that he was desperate to see the veteran line up.
“We have a heavy Pittsburgh influence on our schedule,” he said on NFL Network. “There’s a lot there to like about the Steelers, especially if they’re good.
“[So] I don’t know if you’re watching, Aaron Rodgers. I hope you are. But I want you to know … [that] just a few of my colleagues and some friends, we wanna see you in the Steel City this season.
“We need the Steelers to be good, up to seven figures. They need you. I saw you play last year.
“I know you can still play. You get doubled-up with Mike Tomlin and T.J. Watt on that defense. I think it’d be a great thing. Let’s get this thing done. I’m just making a personal appeal, ‘We want you, we need you, and we look forward to seeing you.”
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