charnsitr / Shutterstock.com
The Steelers are going all-in on Aaron Rodgers, and they’re not being subtle about it.
Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh front office made waves Friday when they hosted the four-time NFL MVP for a six-hour meeting — choosing to skip Michigan’s Pro Day in the process. That’s right, the Steelers bypassed seeing four potential first-round talents to wine and dine a 40-year-old quarterback who played just four snaps last season before tearing his Achilles.
The visit wasn’t about making an offer — Rodgers already has one on the table. This was all about courting the future Hall of Famer after his release from the New York Jets.
It’s a bold strategy, Cotton.
Pro Days Matter — The Steelers Know Better
Let’s be clear: Michigan’s Pro Day isn’t just some random workout. The defending national champions have four legitimate top-40 prospects on display — defensive tackle Mason Graham, cornerback Will Johnson, D-lineman Kenneth Grant, and tight end Colston Loveland. These aren’t fringe players; they’re potential game-changers.
Every NFL team understands there are two college Pro Days you simply don’t miss — Michigan and Georgia. The Bulldogs have three likely first-rounders themselves, but at least Pittsburgh showed up for that one.
Interesting nugget from @JFowlerESPN on Aaron Rodgers visit – the Steelers skipped Michigan’s pro day to host Rodgers in Pittsburgh yesterday https://t.co/htFKdy2eUC
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 22, 2025
Even if Pittsburgh has zero intention of drafting a Michigan player (which would be odd given their talent), you’ve got to scout guys who might end up with your rivals. Imagine Will Johnson locking down Steelers receivers twice a year in Baltimore because Pittsburgh’s scouts were too busy showing Rodgers around their facility.
Speaking of Baltimore — they’ve got some pretty strong Michigan connections these days. Wonder if that might give them an edge with these prospects?
What’s The Endgame Here?
If the Steelers land Rodgers, fans might forgive this Pro Day no-show. But let’s not pretend this is a slam-dunk move. We’re talking about a quarterback who’s:
- Coming off a major Achilles injury
- Turning 41 in December
- Played just four snaps last season
- Has shown clear signs of physical decline
This feels like another example of the Steelers’ unwillingness to rebuild properly. As long as Mike Tomlin keeps hitting that magical nine-win mark, the organization seems content with mediocrity — never bad enough for a high draft pick, never good enough to make a serious playoff run.
If they do sign Rodgers, they’d be smart to hedge their bets by drafting a quarterback like Ole Miss’s Jaxson Dart or Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. Let the rookie learn behind the veteran for a year, then take over when Rodgers inevitably breaks down or retires.
But that would require long-term planning, something the Steelers don’t seem interested in right now. They’re fixated on immediate solutions that keep the no-losing-seasons streak alive, even at the cost of future success.
The Rodgers courtship might work out. He might even have another good year or two left. But skipping a crucial scouting opportunity to chase a quarterback with maybe one foot already in the broadcast booth? That’s not the “Steeler Way” fans have come to expect from this franchise.
Then again, neither is missing the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.
