The OTAs are here, and Aaron Rodgers is not. Where does that leave the Steelers? With Mason Rudolph sporting a goatee and signalling he means business. If he gets the chance, he will show the Steelers a repeat of his 2023 performance. There’s also Skyler Thompson waiting for his number to be called, and rookie Will Howard’s taking all the notes he can. Many analysts and veterans had marked May 27th as the date when Aaron Rodgers shows up clad in black and gold and leads the team to glory. But the Steelers are also looking at backups for A-Rod. And one of those backup plans doesn’t sit well with veteran QB Ben Roethlisberger.
This offseason, fans, analysts, and veterans have pondered a lot on one matter. Who could be a potential fit for the Steelers if Aaron Rodgers is a no-show? The name that was floated the most as a suitable ‘Plan B’ was Kirk Cousins, backup QB for the Falcons behind Michael Penix Jr. Now, Kirk Cousins isn’t happy with the Falcons because he wants to be the starter. He didn’t even show up for the OTAs this time around. Atlanta has stacked all their chips on Penix, and Cousins is on the sidelines. But is Kirk Cousins a good choice for the Steelers? Big Ben doesn’t seem to think so.
On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben made his stance clear on the whole Kirk Cousins deal. He was asked about the possibility of Kirk Cousins in Steel City, and his response? “No… the problem is I think Atlanta said there someone else had to take the 20 million – I can’t see that happen.” The problem, according to Big Ben, is the money any team that wants to sign has to pay to get him. As Adam Schefter had reported that the Falcons have “asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract.” And Roethlisberger doesn’t see the front office willing to write that big a check.
They asked Big Ben again, “So, do you like the idea of Kirk Cousins here?” But he doubled down with, “I would have earlier. Not now. At this point. – You know, now you just want someone here that’s going to get reps and start practicing.” So, as far as the veteran QB is concerned, Kirk Cousins is out of the picture. But back before the drafts, Adam Schefter had also noted, “There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million.” Interestingly enough, $10 million is the number Aaron Rodgers has said he’ll take if he plays this season. And that brings us back full circle to the patient Mike Tomlin, and the elusive A-Rod. When is he joining, if at all? There’s a new deadline now.
The end date for Aaron Rodgers in Steel City
It’s been months since Aaron Rodgers showed up at the Steelers’ facility. It’s been weeks since HC Mike Tomlin said he’s been having ’productive talks’ with Rodgers. Rodgers himself dropped a sly hint about his future just a few days ago. But that does nothing to a city waiting on a guaranteed signal caller since Big Ben hung up his cleats. But the Tomlin-Rodgers chess match continues. And now, it looks like A-Rod has even more time to show up.
NFL, American Football Herren, USA NFC Championship-Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons, Jan 22, 2017 Atlanta, GA, USA Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers 12 speaks to media after the game against the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Atlanta defeated Green Bay 44-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports, 22.01.2017 19:03:15, 9832484, NPStrans, Georgia Dome, NFL, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xDalexZaninex 9832484
As per a post on X by Andrew Fillipponi, the waiting game could continue till the very last second possible. Fillipponi wrote, “Adam Schefter on Aaron Rodgers: ‘I would say the Steelers are willing to wait until September 7th.’ That’s the date of the Steelers Week 1 game vs. NYJ.” The Steelers aren’t cutting bait, they are sure Aaron Rodgers will show up. But if the decision does stretch to September, is that good news for the Steelers? The QB will definitely need time to sync with the team before he can make effective TD passes. And the longer the wait continues, the less time he gets to work with his potential teammates.
If you look at the Jets, QB Justin Fields is gearing up to face off against his old team. If A-Rod joins the Steelers, he, too, will get to face off against the team that refused to give him a chance. With all things considered, if it’s really September when A-Rod shows up, we have to ask one question. Fields’ practice vs. Rodgers’ veteran experience. Which one will have the edge in Week 1?
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