Schefter Reveals Why Steelers Could Soon Sign Rodgers

Football’s most high-profile stalemate is still ongoing, and as the NFL Draft approaches, someone is going to have to blink.

The Pittsburgh Steelers, for the sake of head coach Mike Tomlin’s sanity (and non-losing-season streak), need an upgrade over Mason Rudolph under center. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who quickly ran out of alternatives, doesn’t have a viable pivot to playing elsewhere.

The two being such an obvious match has only made Rodgers’ patience more peculiar.

On “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” Schefter revealed why Rodgers could sign with the Steelers sometime soon and put an end to the staring contest.

"I think we are entering the critical stretch for Aaron Rodgers' final decision about whether or not to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers," he said.

"The Pittsburgh Steelers' voluntary offseason workout program begins next week. And if Aaron Rodgers decides that he wants to play in Pittsburgh with new teammates, new receivers, new coaches and a new offense in a new city, I would think that he would want to be there, boots on the ground, from Day 1 of the offseason program so he can be on the field."

Granted, Rodgers has never been one to care much about offseason workouts. When you’re a Hall of Fame quarterback, you don’t necessarily half to. With the NFL Draft approaching on April 24, one would assume Pittsburgh would prefer to have its answer at the sport’s most important position.

On Thursday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Rodgers joined his friend to contradict Schefter’s opinion.

“I’m open to anything and attached to nothing,” Rodgers said. “Retirement could still be a possibility.”

It makes sense for Rodgers to sign with Pittsburgh, and to show up for offseason workouts, and to absolve the team of drafting a quarterback out of short-term uncertainty. But Rodgers cares little for sense, and until he’s suiting up for the Steelers, there’s little to suggest he cares about them, either.

The longer Rodgers waits, the closer retirement gets. It’s on the Steelers to have a real backup plan in case the veteran chooses to have his Sundays off this fall.