The Pittsburgh Steelers may not have signed Aaron Rodgers, but they appear to be laying all the foundations to do the deal.
It is widely expected that the four-time MVP will be under center for Mike Tomlin in Week 1, but right now Rodgers remains unsigned and a free agent.
Tomlin is driving the Rodgers deal, and apparently happy to wait until the veteran quarterback is ready – so while he waits the franchise is looking to get everything in place to make A-Rod comfortable.
That now looks to be adding an explosive tight end to the mix with trade talks back on for Miami Dolphins‘ Jonnu Smith, who is seeking a new contract.
The news comes on the back of fellow tight end, Donald Parham Jr, suffering a torn Achilles that will rule him out for the entire 2025 season.
During his 18-season run in Green Bay, Rodgers enjoyed successful hook ups with Jermichael Finley, Robert Tonyan, Marcedes Lewis, Donald Lee, and Jimmy Graham at the position.
Miami and Smith reportedly some way apart in terms of their valuation on any extension to the near $5 million deal he signed last summer for him to remain in Florida.
The team are looking to see what compensation might be available in a trade.
Enter Pittsburgh, enter Rodgers, who would love nothing more than a couple of strong tight ends for some easy completions once he decides to hit the field.
Pittsburgh already have Pat Freiermouth at the position, while Darnell Washington is more of a blocking tight end, and now Parham Jnr is out of action.
It means the pass-catching and explosive Smith – who siged a four-year $50million deal with New England in 2021 – would offer a significant threat.
After a four-year run in Tennessee – where he was a third round pick in 2017 – Smith has played for three teams in the last four seasons.
GettySmith was second in total touchdowns for the Dolphins last season[/caption] Mike Tomlin is happy to wait for Aaron Rodgers despite OTAs getting underwayGettyHowever the 29-year-old enjoyed a strong season for Miami, racking up a career-high 884 yards on 88 receptions, and another career-high with eight touchdowns.
Having traded away George Pickens, and traded for DK Metcalf, the Steelers offensive weaponry still looks a little light if they believe Rodgers is all they need for a significant push in the postseason.
Gabe Davis has reportedly held a visit with the team, and could prove a useful pickup, but Smith’s addition would strengthen the downfield threat as well.
However the immediate issue at hand is the quarterback position, where Mason Rudolph is listed as the starter on the depth chart.
Behind him, sixth round draft pick Will Howard is listed second with Skylar Thompson the third option.
Rodgers’ arrival is not only expected, but is much needed if Tomlin and the Steelers believe all that is needed is a quarterback to get over the hump.
Last season, Justin Fields started the year as QB1 before Russell Wilson took over and for the second season in succession the Steelers finished 10-7 and were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
Both players have moved on to New York, Wilson with the Giants and Fields with the Jets, where he effectively replaces Rodgers.
It will be 10 years since Pittsburgh have won a postseason game and Rodgers arrival is seen as key to ending that drought.
Giving him the tools to do that looks to be the next logical step with no deal officially done.
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Steelers OTAs are underway, and a three-day mandatory minicamp is taking place between June 10-12.
Training camp begins on July 24, and the feeling is that might be a more realistic expectation for Rodgers arrival as the quarterback takes the offseason to deal with off the field personal matters.
Rodgers left Green Bay in 2023, but his first season away from Lambeau Field ended just one drive into his time with the Jets when he snapped his Achilles.
He returned for a full 2025 season but the Jets endured a difficult campaign, firing head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the year.
The 41-year-old will hope the stability of the Steelers gives him a chance for one last shot at adding to his solitary Super Bowl ring, which he won in 2010.
Pittsburgh, famously, have not suffered a losing season under Tomlin and have reached the playoffs in eight of the last 11 seasons.
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