PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers has seen the light … of a sunny day in Pittsburgh. After a week and a half of radio silence, the free agent quarterback took a free agent visit to UPMC Rooney Sports Complex to meet with top Pittsburgh Steelers brass.
Hours later, after meeting with Omar Khan, Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith, he left without a contract, team sources confirmed to Steelers Now, and the next steps in his process remain frustratingly unclear. Dianna Russini of The Athletic first reported Rodgers' departure without a contract.
Rodgers has been holding up — some would say holding hostage — the offseason process of not just the Steelers but several other teams while waiting to make a decision on the multiple pending offers in front of him.
The Steelers have made an offer, and a team source confirmed that leading into Friday's meeting, there had been no counterplay between Rodgers agent and Khan. The Steelers made an offer, they hadn't been told yes, they hadn't been told no, and there hadn't been a counter-offer made, either.
Reportedly, the New York Giants had made a higher offer to Rodgers , and it appeared that he wanted to pursue an opportunity, no matter how unlikely, with the Minnesota Vikings . Either that, or he simply wanted to attempt to use Vikings to try to leverage an increased offer from Pittsburgh.
Rodgers reportedly had been looking for a two-year, $90 million deal that would match the $45 million average annual value that Kirk Cousins got from the Atlanta Falcons last year. It seems unlikely he'll net that.
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. — Ed Thompson / Steelers Now
The Steelers are offering far less, per a team source, and it has been speculated that the Steelers are only offering a one-year contract, while Rodgers seeks two.
There have also been reports that Rodgers hesitancy is not all about money , and that he may genuinely be deciding whether or not he wants to play in 2025 before weighing the specific options.
The Giants are waiting on Rodgers and may still be in play, despite the Steelers getting the first visit. They have also hosted Russell Wilson and Joe Flacco as backup option, while the Steelers signed theirs, bringing in Mason Rudolph on a two-deal.
Rodgers leaving the team facility without a contract may or may not be a sign of anything. Wilson left his visit with the Steelers in 2024 without a deal , only to sign two days later. Other times, that has been a signal that the sides are far apart and the player may look elsewhere.
The next steps for Rodgers are unclear as he leaves Pittsburgh without a contract, but it seems possible that this saga could stretch into a third week.
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