Steelers Insider Disputes Report Calling Aaron Rodgers Team’s ‘Third Choice’

A Pittsburgh Steelers insider didn’t quite agree with Adam Schefter’s assessment of the Aaron Rodgers signing.

Following much consternation, the Steelers landed the four-time MVP on a one-year contract. Schefter called Rodgers the team’s “third choice” at quarterback behind Matthew Stafford and Justin Fields on ESPN’s “Get Up” on Friday. Stafford and Justin Fields.

Mark Kaboly discussed Schefter’s comments during a Monday radio appearance on 93.7 The Fan. The Steelers reporter, who contributes to “The Pat McAfee Show,” didn’t think Stafford was ever a realistic target for Pittsburgh before the Los Angeles Rams restructured his contract in May.

“Matt Stafford was just a ploy by the Matt Stafford Rams to get him to sign back there. That was never legitimate,” Kaboly claimed. “Maybe that was a call and say, ‘Hey, what do you think?’ But that never even went past the initial conversation.”

On the other hand, Kaboly believes the Steelers preferred to retain Fields over Russell Wilson. Fields joined the New York Jets in March, and Wilson later signed with the New York Giants.

“It was Justin Fields, and then when he said no it was like, ‘Uh oh. We don’t really want Russell, what’s our next option?’ That’s what it was. I don’t think you can put Stafford in that list.”

Kaboly couldn’t pinpoint the precise reason Fields chose the Jets, but he didn’t think it was solely because the Steelers benched him for Wilson after a 4-2 start to the 2024 season.

“Maybe it was money,” Kaboly said. “Maybe it was the allure of playing with the Jets. Maybe it was the allure of playing in New York. Maybe it was the allure of playing with a new head coach. I don’t know. Better opportunity? It could have been a number of things.”

Fields and Rodgers instead traded places. They’ll each play their former team when Rodgers leads the Steelers into MetLife Stadium for a Week 1 clash against the Jets. Kaboly explained why he feels Pittsburgh is better off with the 41-year-old under center.

“We know what Fields can do, and I don’t think that’s playoff-winning-capable football,” he said. “Rodgers, we know he can at least do that. The question with him: Can he still do that? I’m taking the what-if rather than the already known. I want to see what Aaron Rodgers has.”

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