If quarterback Aaron Rodgers indicators with the Pittsburgh Steelers, outdoors linebacker Alex Highsmith will welcome him with open arms. Although Highsmith credited Mason Rudolph for main the crew throughout the early levels of the offseason, Highsmith is enticed by the concept of Rodgers strolling by way of the doorways, too.
“I do know if he does signal, we’re going to be actually excited to have him,” he advised NFL Community’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo on Thursday’s The Insiders. “We all know who he’s. He’s a Corridor of Fame quarterback. He’s among the finest ever to do it.
Till Rodgers decides his future, Highsmith and the remainder of his teammates shall be requested about it each likelihood doable. With the Steelers starting voluntary OTAs, Rodgers will dominate the dialog. Highsmith walked the road nicely, supporting whoever turns into the Steelers’ beginning quarterback.
“Mason being there, he has performed an excellent job,” he mentioned. “The blokes are rallying round him and like I mentioned, he’s been with us earlier than and guys know him. Pittsburgh followers know him. The best way that he helped us end in, in 2023 was superior. And so simply irrespective of who’s again there for this, whether or not it’s him, if Aaron Rodgers is gonna come, I’m simply excited. And I do know we’re gonna have, whoever’s again there, we’re gonna have their backs and we’re gonna rally behind them.”
Rudolph went from third-string quarterback in 2023 to the crew’s starter over the ultimate three contests, turning round a seemingly doomed slide to 7-7 to a three-game profitable streak into the playoffs. Put up-Ben Roethlisberger, the stretch from Rudolph is likely one of the crew’s finest, rivaling Russell Wilson’s rapid affect after taking on as starter in Week 7 of 2024.
Signing a one-year cope with Tennessee final season, Rudolph threw 9 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. These had been unimpressive numbers, however he performed on a crew that completed the yr with the NFL’s high draft choose.
Rodgers has provided no indication of when he’ll determine his future. He’s spent the offseason largely away from the media highlight, holding simply two public interviews. In April, he joined the Pat McAfee Present to speak soccer, and in an episode that aired yesterday, he joined Joe Rogan to debate nearly every part else.
Alex Highsmith is used to the change. The Steelers have began 5 totally different Week 1 quarterbacks throughout his six NFL seasons, a distinct identify annually since 2021. Regardless of if it’s Rodgers or Rudolph, Pittsburgh will possible be beginning another person in 2026. Meaning Highsmith will face the identical questions throughout his offseason interviews subsequent yr.
