The Pittsburgh Steelers are glad to maneuver ahead with Mason Rudolph as their beginning quarterback within the occasion Aaron Rodgers opts in opposition to a return to the sphere.
In keeping with NFL insider Dan Graziano, the Steelers are snug with Rudolph as QB1 if Rodgers decides to name it a day after 20 seasons within the league.
Nevertheless, Rodgers lately dropped an enormous trace that he’s about to signal with the Steelers throughout a public Q&A at an occasion hosted by rapper Mike Stud.
A fan requested the 41-year-old if he’d ever play for the Chicago Bears – to which he replied no – however admitted he might play within the Windy Metropolis on a highway journey this 12 months.
Why hasn’t Aaron Rodgers signed with the Steelers but?
Rodgers is delaying his choice attributable to private issues. As he revealed on the Joe Rogan Expertise lately, there are individuals near him coping with well being points.
WATCH: Aaron Rodgers on the Joe Rogan Expertise
The legendary QB, considered among the finest of all-time, is coming off arguably the worst season of his profession after throwing 28 touchdowns in opposition to 11 interceptions with the 5-12 New York Jets in 2024.
He has to show he can nonetheless compete on the highest degree within the NFL, particularly following a devastating achilles tendon tear in 2023. The Jets offense led by Rodgers completed twenty fourth within the league in yards per recreation and factors per recreation final 12 months.
Rodgers led the Inexperienced Bay Packers to Tremendous Bowl glory within the 2010 season and went on to win league MVP on 4 events in 2011, 2014, 2020 and 2021.
He has led the NFL in quite a lot of key classes through the years resembling:
- Landing-to-interception ratio (2011, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020, 2021)
- Lowest passing interception share (2009, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
- Passer score (2011, 2012, 2020, 2021)
- Landing passing share (2011, 2012, 2020, 2021)
- Complete touchdowns (2011, 2016, 2020)
- Landing passes (2016, 2020)
- Yards per try (2011)]
- Completion share (2020)
There isn’t a doubting Rodgers’ greatness, however whether or not he can nonetheless attain these heights is a completely totally different matter. His age is catching as much as him, as is his physique and the Steelers are ready to maneuver ahead with Rudolph within the occasion of a U-turn.
Steelers glad to maneuver ahead with Mason Rudolph as QB1 if Rodgers backs out
Rodgers’ intention of signing with the Steelers has been the league’s worst stored secret this offseason, however Pittsburgh isn’t gonna lose any sleep if it doesn’t occur.
Again in March, the Steelers agreed to a two-year cope with Rudolph to carry their former third-round decide again to the fold after a season with the Tennessee Titans.
The 2 QBs who began for Pittsburgh final 12 months, Justin Fields and Russell Wilson each moved on to the Large Apple – becoming a member of the New York Jets and New York Giants respectively.
Within the last season of his first spell with the Steelers, Rudolph took over the beginning job late within the 12 months and led the group to a 3-0 end to advance to the postseason.
The 29-year-old is 8-4-1 in his Steelers profession however regressed in his sole season in Tennessee, going 1-4 in 5 begins when stepping in for an injured Will Levis.
Rudolph performed in eight video games for the Titans final season, finishing 437 of 686 cross makes an attempt (63.7%) for 1,530 yards, 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions.