Steelers Claim Aaron Rodgers Fiasco Won’t Impact NFL Draft Plans

The Pittsburgh Steelers have two days left before the organization enters the 2025 NFL Draft, with no word on whether or not quarterback Aaron Rodgers intends to sign with the team.

From afar, not having a yes or no from Rodgers seems concerning. The 41-year-old met with the Steelers over four weeks ago, and the franchise hasn’t received a reply after an offseason of demonstrating their commitment to the four-time league MVP. In the meantime, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin — along with other team officials — has met with quarterback prospects, including Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, in preparation for Thursday’s draft.

Tomlin, however, made it clear whether or not the Rodgers offseason wait game would play a role in Pittsburgh’s draft approach.

“It does not,” Tomlin said, per ESPN’s Brooke Pryor.

Tomlin continued: “I think what you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after. We’ll see how the acquisition goes this weekend.”

Pittsburgh signed Mason Rudolph — the presumed backup plan — but the team also allowed Justin Fields and Russell Wilson to join the New York Jets and New York Giants, respectively. It was a risky decision at the time, and now it’s proven to severely corner the organization in a place where they’ll need a response from Rodgers or a rookie quarterback once the draft is concluded. It’s not a great situation, and for many, including ex-Steelers players, it’s a situation the team should remove itself from.

“I think it’s been a bad play by the Pittsburgh Steelers already,” Clark said on ESPN’s “Get Up” last week. “I would give Aaron Rodgers a deadline. And when I give him that deadline, it wouldn’t lead me into next week. I would need to know if you’re coming back to play or not this week, and more importantly, if you’re coming back to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

The Steelers own six picks this year, starting with the No. 21 pick.

More Steelers: Ex-NFL GM Urges Steelers To Move On From Aaron Rodgers: ‘It’s Over’