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Aaron Rodgers back to the Steelers? Choose your words carefully | Opinion
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- Aaron Rodgers back to the Steelers? Choose your words carefully | Opinion
After the question came about Aaron Rodgers , it seemed that Michael Pittman , Jr. was poised to bolt off the line of scrimmage and score on a deep post pattern.
Pittman, the big wide receiver obtained in a trade this week , was among players formally introduced by the Pittsburgh Steelers during news conferences Friday that were livestreamed on the team's website. Naturally, there's much anticipation about how the new, fired-up weapon might flow with A-Rod.
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He said, "When you have a chance to play with a Hall of Fame quarterback…"
Pittman paused, then pivoted on his response like an intended target breaking off an option route.
"I haven't been able to reach him yet," he continued. "I know that he's still thinking about it, but we also have two good quarterbacks here in Mason (Rudolph) and Will (Howard), so whatever ends up turning out, I think we'll have a good plan offensively and I think we'll make the most of it."
So there. Blah, blah. Pittman, who came over after six seasons with the Indianapolis Colts , quickly demonstrated that he is well-equipped to go with the Black and Gold flow.
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See, when talking about Rodgers – especially this time of year – it is best to tread lightly and carefully measure your words. It's a delicate topic.
Here we go. After a flurry of big free agent moves, trades and well one trade that wasn't amid the frenzy to ignite the offseason over the past week, the NFL universe is still waiting on the big decision from the four-time NFL MVP.
And considering that we're talking about Rodgers – hey, no pressure, man – it could be a long wait.
Return or retire?
Rodgers, 42, hasn't publicly declared that he will come back for a 22nd NFL season. On "The Pat McAfee Show" in early March, Rodgers maintained that there was nothing to debate as he didn't have a contract offer from the Steelers to weigh. Yet that seemed a lot like pondering the question of which came first: The chicken or the egg?
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Of course, as GM Omar Khan has reiterated publicly, the Steelers want him back. The franchise hasn't had a quarterback start 16 games in back-to-back seasons since Ben Roethlisberger in 2021 and Rodgers – although he wasn't "MVP A-Rod" and the deep shots were spotty – showed last season in leading the way to a division crown that he can still be effective with a strong supporting cast.
Offering a contract seems to be a formality, as the Steelers have had discussions with Rodgers' representatives about the framework for a deal. And with Rodgers collecting nearly $400 million in career earnings, according to Spotrac.com, it's doubtful that money will be a significant factor in this equation, anyway. Last year, Rodgers played on a one-year, $13.65 million contact that amounted to an effective "discount double-check" when compared to the market rate for starting QBs.
So, like last time, it's no secret this "Rodgers 2.0" decision likely hinges on the quarterback's fire and desire. And maybe other reasons that he can explain better than the rest of us.
Still, timing juices the other key element. There's no way that Rodgers should leave the Steelers hanging on a decision until June, as was the case last time.
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Sure, there's definitely a need for space and healing, mentally and physically, in contemplating whether to sign up for another year of the grind that comes with such a physically demanding sport. Can't go at it halfway. Rodgers may even have another "darkness retreat" on the agenda. He has earned the right to be thorough with his process.
Yet, for as patient as former coach Mike Tomlin was in waiting on Rodgers' decision last year, it can't be the "new normal" for it to linger until a post-Memorial Day call.
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It probably helps in the decision that Rodgers seemed to thoroughly enjoy his experience with the Steelers. And maybe it helps even more that Tomlin – who Rodgers is genuinely fond of – was replaced by Mike McCarthy. After all, Rodgers had his greatest success in collaborating with McCarthy to win a Super Bowl for the Green Bay Packers after the 2010 season.
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Still, Rodgers can do McCarthy a solid by making an earlier decision. No, it won't help the Steelers to force the issue with some hardcore deadline or to sign another veteran quarterback, such as Kirk Cousins , if Rodgers is their desired quarterback of the present.
Yet even if the decision is weeks away, it is reasonable to expect it before the draft, when so many personnel decisions involving veterans come to a head. And remember, with McCarthy coming in as a new coach, the Steelers get an extra (voluntary) mini-camp and a two-week jump on teams with returning coaches in beginning their offseason conditioning program. Phase I of Pittsburgh's program will open on April 7.
No need to hold your breath or check for a wager on the prediction market that Rodgers, if he decides to return, will be back by early April.
Yet it's not too early to envision the comfort zone that exists for Rodgers. After a year of running Arthur Smith's offense, he might find extra incentive in the idea of getting back into a scheme that he once brought to life. McCarthy's "West Coast"-based scheme – with quick throws, extensive shotgun snaps and a spread rushing attack – would undoubtedly allow Rodgers expanded freedom to make adjustments at the line of scrimmage. And hey, it might even prompt a revival for tight end Pat Freiermuth , who so often seemed lost in Smith's system.
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Regardless, some of the Steelers' other moves would likely get a stamp of approval from Rodgers. Pittman, a physical receiver with a penchant for making contested catches, goes far in addressing a glaring weakness as Pittsburgh lacked a dominant threat opposite wideout DK Metcalf .
Also, Pittsburgh might have filled the hole left with running back Kenneth Gainwell 's free agent departure to the Buccaneers . Gainwell, who was voted the team's MVP, is clearly a Rodgers favorite. He was the team's leader with 73 catches (reflecting, too, the impact of the short throws that the passing game was built around) and tallied 1,023 yards from scrimmage. Now the backfield work with Jaylen Warren will be split with Rico Dowdle , a physical runner who broke into the NFL under McCarthy with the Cowboys and has put up back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing campaigns.
In the meantime, Rodgers can expect to hear from Pittman, a Southern Cal alum who has occasionally crossed paths with the quarterback. They train at the same spot in California, Pittman explained, although they have never engaged in throwing sessions.
Pittman said he will "shoot him a text message and see how he feels about things. Just knowing him, I know he loves football and he's going to consider it."
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Now that would be a serious post pattern. And hey, it might even set the foundation for critical bond for the Steelers – if Rodgers decides to run it back.
Contact Bell at jbell@usatoday.com or follow on X: @JarrettBell
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers to Michael Pittman Jr.? Steelers new WR is reaching out to QB
