The Pittsburgh Steelers are excited to have solutions at quarterback. Aaron Rodgers is signed, sealed, and delivered. Although Mike Tomlin and firm will tout Rodgers’ Corridor of Fame resume, ESPN’s Adam Schefter says if the group had their means, Rodgers wouldn’t be in Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ quarterback could be Justin Fields. Or Matthew Stafford. Rodgers, at greatest, took the bronze medal.
“This was the very best transfer that the Pittsburgh Steelers might make proper now,” Schefter mentioned on ESPN’s Get Up Friday. “However let’s additionally keep in mind that this was the third possibility for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They have been in on Matthew Stafford and couldn’t get [a trade done]. They tried to re-sign Justin Fields. He opted to go to the New York Jets, the place he’ll meet Aaron Rodgers on opening day.
“And after they couldn’t get a commerce finished for Stafford and couldn’t get Fields re-signed, they pivoted to Aaron Rodgers.”
Schefter’s commentary shouldn’t come as a shock. It’s well-documented the workforce made a push to re-sign Fields earlier than free company started. Reportedly, the workforce provided Fields a two-year deal however the New York Jets got here in with a barely stronger contract. Mix that with the likelihood Fields felt slighted after being despatched to the bench mid-way by means of final season and he left in free company, agreeing to New York’s deal that makes him the workforce’s unquestioned 2025 starter.
Pittsburgh additionally poked round on Matthew Stafford. That isn’t breaking information and was floated in the course of the temporary window the Los Angeles Rams allowed Stafford to buy himself round to gauge his market worth. The Steelers didn’t appear to be essentially the most critical gamers with media reviews citing the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders because the groups who made formal contract affords. Schefter beforehand reported Pittsburgh wasn’t keen to surrender a first-round decide for Stafford and, presumably, pay him an enormous $100 million-plus contract.
Although Schefter didn’t point out him, Pittsburgh additionally had reported curiosity in Sam Darnold. Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel as soon as claimed the Steelers made him a proposal, although he’s the one one to firmly report as such. Darnold reunited with former coach Klint Kubiak and joined the Seattle Seahawks. If that report is true, it places Rodgers in fourth-place.
It’s truthful to say Pittsburgh had a ceiling with each different quarterback. First alternative shouldn’t be equated to unconditional curiosity with an enormous, clean examine. Pittsburgh might’ve, however didn’t, select to prime the Jets’ supply and pay Fields’ extra. That doesn’t diminish the fact he was Pittsburgh’s first alternative. Simply in the way in which the Carolina Panthers first free company defensive deal with alternative was Milton Williams however misplaced out last-second to the New England Patriots. The Panthers signed Tershawn Wharton as a substitute. Williams was nonetheless their first choice.
Rodgers being the workforce’s third (or fourth) alternative doesn’t imply this marriage is doomed to fail. He might have an amazing season and exceed everybody’s expectations, even perhaps the group’s. Schefter’s remark is extra apparent than something. Rodgers solely seems like the primary alternative because of the three-month saga it took to land him. Irrespective of how Pittsburgh envisioned issues would go, Rodgers is the Steelers’ starter, and it’s full velocity forward with him below heart.
