Report: Steelers have not heard from Rodgers

Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss the latest in the ongoing stagnancy between Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers and question what's next for both sides.

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There has been this belief simmering for weeks now that the Steelers, like last year, know that Aaron Rodgers is going to play for them in 2026, and it's just a matter of getting to the right point for him to sign the contract.

Last year, I think the agreement was you're less of a distraction if you're not on the team, show up before the mandatory mini camp in June, sign then.

But we know, Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers had an understanding as to how it was gonna work.

There's been this perception that that's the same thing this year, and when Art Rooney talks at, to reporters at the league meetings, he's kind of got that knowing smile like, like, "Yeah, that's kind of what's going on."

So against that background, NFL media reports the Steelers have not received any communication from Aaron Rodgers about whether he will play in 2026 and there is now no expectation that the quarterback's decision will come before the draft gets started on Thursday.

My guess is the Steelers felt compelled to get this out there to reduce this kind of growing expectation.

It, it started as a fringe rumor.

I think Shefty breathed some life into it on McAfee's show last week, that Rodgers is gonna show up during the draft with the big reveal that he's back.

And I don't think They either don't want people to disappointed or they're really working to set it up.

It's possible they're really working to set it up, but it's also possible, if not likely, they don't want people to show up for the draft and say, "Where, where, why didn't Aaron Rodgers come out on stage and say he's coming back?

I thought that's what he was gonna do."

Yeah, no, this feels more about, you know, like, you know, the taming expectations a little bit.

"Let's pump the brakes, everybody.

There's not gonna be anything crazy that happens here."

I, I'm still in shock that we're at this moment and we're, we're still waiting.

I'm in shock that the Steelers have put themselves in this position, and I'm in shock that Aaron Rodgers really hasn't made a decision to this point.

I, I really am.

I, I don't know what to say.

But, you know, you just With, with the Steelers, I Two years in a row putting themselves in a corner in the quarterback position and, and, and doing that too, again, where you know what I think Aaron Rodgers the man, but for a guy that, at this age right now, to have him have you guys in handcuffs, he's not that quality of a player anymore to where you should be holding your organization to hostage like this.

That's where I'm just shocked.

I'm shocked by it.

I really, I do not get it at all.

And yeah, Mason Rudolph, yeah, he can hold down the fort for a little, but we know he's not a great starting quarterback.

He's a great backup quarterback.

And Will Howard, like I- They love Will Howard.

I gotta see it to believe it.

They love Will Howard.

I know, yeah.

I gotta see it to believe it.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

I, yeah, I, you- I, I mean, the qu- the quarterback play was- They love Ty Simpson too if they can get him.

Well, let's see.

That's gonna be the thing.

And Ty Simpson has a little of that Aaron Rodgers athleticism and can hop around and do that, and maybe Mike McCarthy sees that and thinks he can make him into the next Aaron Rodgers.

I don't know, but that's gonna be an interesting thing to see what they do at pick 21 and what they do with this quarterback situation.

Coincidentally, I'm scheduled to interview Cam Heyward later today.

I wonder if it will be postponed or canceled given this development.

And m- one of my goals is, and of course it's probably not a good idea to tell the world in advance, but I'm kidding, I'm not really gonna try to do this, he's the one who said last year, "You either wanna be a Steeler- Yeah or you don't."

Yeah.

And there's gotta be a way to frame a question for him because I think from the perspective of the fans, like, what do you say to the fans who say, "Why are we doing this?

Why are we bending over backwards for a guy that nobody else wants?

Why?

Help us understand why you're doing it."

Yeah.

That's what I think the fans of the Steelers wanna know.

Well, Cam's a great guy.

I hung out with him on the boat in the Super Bowl, if you remember.

You know, we just, just me, him and Aaron Donald just- Was the boat like this?

hanging out on the boat.

No problem.

'Cause between him and Aaron Donald, I think the boat's gonna go toward Cam Heyward's side.

Well, definitely.

I mean, Cam Heyward's head weighs at least 195 pounds, so forget the rest of him.

You could tell him I said that too, all right?

Please do.

I think you come out though and just ask him just the way you did right there, with a little grin on your face and just go, "Hey, this is Aaron Rodgers."

I mean And just kind of smile and go, "He either wants to be here or he doesn't, huh, Cam?"

And just see where he goes.

I bet you he'll laugh and, like, he'll get it and he'll know how to answer it.

He was on, he was on with Rich Eisen on Friday and he said of Rodgers, "He's worn the black and gold.

Just return, baby.

That's all we need.

I think he had a fun time being a part of this crew, and we really enjoyed his company.

I'd like to be able to run it back."

I, I still No, I think his, the interview may be Wednesday.

I thought I had one today.

Oh, it's Wednesday.

Oh.

I thought it was today.

Gosh.

I could have swore it was today.

There's a lot of senior moments from you lately.

I, I- Man, holy crap checked last night.

Yeah.

I checked.

You checked last night?

I got the invitation on my phone.

You're still wrong.

You're still wrong even though you checked last night.

You, you know how, you know how- You're making my point even better for me.

You know how No.

But you know how when, like, any time I set something now, they send me the Zoom link, and the next thing I know I have an alert on my phone to accept the invitation, and I'm looking at it right here.

Oh, it is Wednesday.

Yeah.

Never mind.

Never mind.

Something's today.

I could have sworn something was today.

No, I'm sure.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Yeah.

Maybe I don't have an interview to get ready for today.

Yeah.

Well, I got It w- who's today?

Is anyone today?

Have I lost my mind?

This- Oh, this show is today.

Yeah.

Thanks, Kristen.

Yeah.

Yes, I was aware of that.

I do have that standing reminder on my calendar that it's every weekday.

For some reason I thought it was today.

I was gonna be ready to go at 1:15.

Well, all right.

Now I can do something else at 1:15.

I'll take a nap.

Yeah.

Uh- There you go and recharge my impaired brain.

You gotta go.

So, so we'll take a break.

I won't take a nap during the break, but I really do think it's fair to ask everyone involved with the Steelers what's, what's the, like, what's the deal?

And what is your plan- Yeah if you don't have Aaron Rodgers?

They could get left in the dust in the AFC North if it's Mason Rudolph or Will Howard.

With new coaching staff, with talent that maybe Mike Tomlin made a lot better than it was, and the Browns get a little kick in the butt from Todd Monken.

I don't know.

It could be a long year for Pittsburgh with or without Aaron Rodgers.

Right.

But definitely without him

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