NFL Rumors: Steelers Had This Takeaway From Aaron Rodgers Meeting

The Steelers are in the running to sign Aaron Rodgers, but the storied franchise knows the legendary quarterback has options.

Rodgers reportedly had a “positive” six-hour visit to Pittsburgh’s facility last week, but the four-time NFL MVP left Steel City without putting pen to paper. Even though the Steelers arguably are Rodgers’ best option at this point, Pittsburgh personnel reportedly are staying mindful of a potential threat to sign the future Pro Football Hall of Famer.

“Steelers folks seemed to think coming out of their meeting that he’d probably do a similar day with the Giants to get a vibe for their building, and what head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen have built,” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer wrote in a column published Monday. “Unlike the Steelers, the Giants would look to Rodgers to do what the Jets envisioned him accomplishing and lift a growing, young core brimming with potential within a franchise that’s fallen on hard times.”

Perhaps Pittsburgh’s potential fear of the G-Men was subdued last week when New York reportedly agreed to terms with Jameis Winston. The move might have signaled that the Giants moved off their Rodgers pursuit and turned to Winston as the veteran quarterback they want to complement an incoming rookie.

That said, it’s not a prudent move to make assumptions about anything that relates to the enigmatic Rodgers. So the Steelers likely will keep running through permutations until the 41-year-old actually signs a contract.