NFL All-Pro Veteran Makes Bold Aaron Rodgers-Steelers Prediction

Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to keep the Pittsburgh Steelers waiting for a thumbs-up or Dikembe Mutombo finger wag this offseason.

So, while an offer remains on the table for Rodgers to become the next starting quarterback of the Steelers, the 41-year-old has amplified the speculation surrounding his future as each day passes. Pittsburgh desperately needs a starter of the caliber that won’t make the team look foolish after allowing Justin Fields and Russell Wilson — now of the New York Jets and New York Giants, respectively — to walk in free agency. However, aside from Rodgers, Pittsburgh’s options have dried out.

With the unknown quickly bringing Rodgers, his darkness retreats and the entire Steelers front office into question, Las Vegas Raiders star Maxx Crosby chimed in with a bold prediction.

“I think he retires,” Crosby predicted on his “The Rush” podcast. “… I’ve been saying it, and the fact that he’s not with Davante (Adams) and he’s not very familiar with Pittsburgh, I just feel like he retires. He’s about 42 now. I would like that. I feel like that makes sense — him going to the Steelers and I think they need a quarterback. They need a guy who’s a vet, a proven dude. But I don’t know. I just don’t see that as a thing. I can’t see him in a Pittsburgh uniform. My brain can’t put that together.”

Crosby added: “I think it’s good for the league when Rodgers is playing, regardless. I’m a fan of Rodgers. I respect the hell out of him. I think he’s an incredible player. I think it would be dope (if he joined the Steelers).”

Rodgers presumably has options with the Minnesota Vikings among teams also linked to the four-time NFL MVP. So while Pittsburgh might view Rodgers as a major upgrade from its Fields-Wilson tandem of last season, playing into Rodgers’ waiting game could backfire. The 20-season veteran is among the most unpredictable characters in the NFL, and more often than not, that’s not a good thing. Rodgers could easily bail on playing entirely, despite having spent a reported six hours during his free agency meeting with the Steelers this month.

That’d be a nightmarish scenario for Pittsburgh, just weeks after the team acquired All-Pro wide receiver DK Metcalf and signed the 27-year-old to a five-year, $150 million contract extension.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, worst-case scenario, would likely defer to Mason Rudolph as the starter. It wouldn’t be an encouraging sign for the team that hasn’t secured a playoff victory in the past nine seasons, but at this point, Pittsburgh can only hope for the best.

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