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Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers are having a tough time right now. They’ve lost three games in a row, and they’re about to play against the Cincinnati Bengals. If they don’t win, they might have to play their first playoff game away from home. This isn’t what they hoped for since they were leading their group just a few weeks ago.
The Steelers’ future plans are already being considered by Omar Khan and the front office.
Russell Wilson’s contract is ending soon, and he was a good deal for the Steelers this season because the Broncos paid most of his salary. But in a few years, that won’t be the case anymore. Some think Wilson might want a big contract like Baker Mayfield’s, but spending $100 million on a quarterback might not fit the Steelers’ budget if they want to keep their strong defense intact. Alternatives like Justin Fields or new draft picks are being discussed.
Could Aaron Rodgers be a short-term solution for the Steelers? Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk thinks so, but it’s a long shot. Rodgers has had issues with the Jets, and there’s no guarantee he’d perform as well as Wilson. The real draw for Rodgers would be his relationship with Mike Tomlin, who he respects deeply. They’ve shared some memorable moments on the field, and Rodgers even praised Tomlin’s coaching skills on the Pat McAfee show.
“There’s only one Mike Tomlin, fist and foremost, and you have to give Mike credit. He’s got the special sauce,” Rodgers said. “He seems to understand how to motivate his guys every single year. For him to not have a losing season is absolutely ridiculous. … I’ve always respected Mike from afar and I think he’s done one hell of a job in Pittsburgh,” Rodgers said at the time.
Despite this admiration, Rodgers isn’t likely to be the Steelers’ top choice. If other options fall through, they might consider him, but it wouldn’t be ideal. I still wouldn’t recommend it.
