The Pittsburgh Steelers remain left on read in their offseason exchange with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, awaiting a response from the 41-year-old veteran.
It’s a strenuous investment of patience for which the Steelers are willing to commit, at the chance of landing the future Hall of Famer. However, retired two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison doesn’t agree with the approach one bit when examining Pittsburgh’s status as an organization in need of a starting quarterback.
“I look at Aaron Rodgers and everything that’s happened to him the last few years, and he just does not look like any resemblance of the same quarterback,” Harrison told NBC’s “Football Night In America” on Wednesday. “At times, he’s gonna give you some great moments in spot duty, but overall, I don’t trust him. I don’t trust that he’s gonna stay healthy. I don’t trust that it’s gonna be a good situation.”
Pittsburgh allowed quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson — last season’s starting tandem — to walk away in free agency, as the two joined the New York Jets and New York Giants, respectively. Now, with Mason Rudolph signed as the only starting candidate — the Steelers reunited this offseason with Rudolph on a two-year deal — Pittsburgh’s options have run slim. Rodgers, once upon a time, was among the most elite quarterback talents in the league.
However, Rodgers isn’t contending for league MVPs, and the State Farm discount double-check commercials aren’t airing either. Rodgers isn’t the same as he once was with the Green Bay Packers, plus he’s two years removed from a torn ACL injury that prematurely ended his 2023 campaign with the Jets. That should pose several red flags for any team in the market for a quarterback, but it hasn’t been enough to discourage the Steelers from looking elsewhere — so far.
Story continues below advertisement
“If you’re the Pittsburgh Steelers, why would you wanna go back and get a guy that’s 40-something years old, and a guy that’s gonna be a pain in the butt in the locker room,” Harrison said. “It just makes absolutely no sense, and this is one of the surprises for me because I’m so used to the Pittsburgh Steelers doing things a certain way. If he doesn’t wanna join the Pittsburgh Steelers, then I would forget about him, move on and keep it moving. I wouldn’t have it allowed this to become such a distraction like it’s becoming.”
Harrison added: “If you’re Mike Tomlin, you gotta put your foot down. You gotta say, ‘Hey, we need an answer by next Monday. If you can’t give us an answer by next Monday, all the best to you. We appreciate your time.’ And keep it moving.”
Rodgers has the power to put Pittsburgh in a tough situation, in the event that he signs elsewhere or decides to retire.
More Steelers: Ex-Aaron Rodgers Teammate Supports Steelers Amid QB Pursuit
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Ed Mulholland/Imagn Images