Following Adam Schefter’s footsteps, NFL Community insider Tom Pelissero provided his prediction for when Aaron Rodgers will signal with the Pittsburgh Steelers. If true, the workforce and followers should wait a short time longer.
“Is it the week of minicamp?” Pelissero mentioned throughout a Wednesday look on the Wealthy Eisen Present. “Is it the day after minicamp? Is it the week earlier than coaching camp? Is it the day earlier than coaching camp begins? Someplace in that bandwidth, I imagine. I don’t know this for a reality as a result of we’re speaking in regards to the enigma of the NFL right here, however I anticipate Aaron Rodgers goes to finish up committing to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers. That it’s a matter of when, not if.”
Schefter’s prediction pegged a choice earlier than the workforce’s necessary minicamp that begins June 10 and runs by way of June 12. Pelissero’s timeline is far broader, however the consensus between the 2 suggests a choice gained’t come earlier than the Steelers start voluntary OTAs Might 27. Pittsburgh lower down on the variety of practices this yr, solely holding six. Conspiracy theorists might recommend that it was accomplished with Rodgers in thoughts, lessening the period of time he’d miss ought to he intend to skip the classes.
After all, these predictions are loosely primarily based, and even insiders like Schefter and Pelissero have hardly provided helpful data through the Rodgers saga. Few predicted his resolution would take this lengthy, together with Artwork Rooney II, with most pundits believing a solution would happen earlier than the draft. That got here and went with out fanfare.
Each suggestion of when Rodgers would signal has been confirmed fallacious: through the first week of free company, shortly after his March go to with the workforce, at Pat McAfee’s stay present, forward of the NFL Draft, earlier than or through the league’s schedule launch, and the idea he’ll signal instantly after the schedule is posted Wednesday evening doesn’t look seemingly, both.
The query is whether or not Rodgers will resolve earlier than any of the Steelers’ spring exercises, the voluntary OTAs, and the necessary minicamp. If he doesn’t flip up at both, will Pittsburgh nonetheless have an interest? Will the locker room be receptive to a supposed chief and face of the franchise displaying up sight-unseen in late July when a lot of the roster put within the time throughout OTAs and the entire workforce attended minicamp?
And what influence, if any, will Rodgers really feel if he isn’t working with the workforce as early as attainable? Will he present rust and get off to a gradual begin that the Steelers can ailing afford in a aggressive convention and division?
Pelissero additionally downplayed the opportunity of the New Orleans Saints pursuing Rodgers even following Derek Carr’s retirement. The Saints appear targeted on inside choices headlined by second-rounder Tyler Shough.
The wait continues. Might 27 would be the subsequent line within the sand, adopted by June 10. If the Steelers are nonetheless enjoying the ready recreation by then, it’ll be honest to marvel if the workforce ought to simply flip the web page.
