Aaron Rodgers is not rushing his decision in free agency, though the quarterback's timing is drawing scrutiny from a former Pittsburgh Steelers executive.
Rodgers was cut loose by the New York Jets after two disappointing seasons, with his debut in 2023 cut short by a torn Achilles and his return to the field in 2024 falling flat as the Jets sunk to the bottom of the AFC.
The former NFL MVP has now hit free agency, with both the Steelers and New York Giants seen as the frontrunners to land him. ESPN's Adam Schefter said in a March 11 appearance on "SportsCenter" that Rodgers isn't rushing his decision and could take as much as a week to choose his new team.
The lack of certainty isn't sitting well with Doug Whaley, the former Steelers personnel coordinator. Whaley accused Rodgers of being selfish, saying he is making the process about himself and accusing the quarterback of holding the Steelers hostage.
"It's all about Aaron Rodgers," Whaley said in an appearance on 93.7 The Fan on Wednesday. "And it has nothing to do with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's gonna hold the whole franchise hostage on waiting for him to make a decision. But that's par for the course when you deal with a guy like Aaron Rodgers."
The Steelers could face additional risk as free agent quarterback Russell Wilson meets with potential suitors. Wilson started 11 games for the Steelers last season, completing 63.7% of his passes for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Pro Bowl quarterback has gotten interest across the league, meeting with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns. He is considered a top candidate to return to the Steelers should Rodgers decide to sign elsewhere.
Steelers Get Bad News on Aaron Rodgers Pursuit
Aaron Rodgers emerged as a potential candidate to take over for a Steelers group clearly looking to up its offensive game in an effort to extricate itself from a long-persisting first-round playoff purgatory. Pittsburgh has made the postseason following four of the past five campaigns and lost its opening game every time.
The New York Giants are potential competition for Rodgers' services, though given his age (41) and the state of the two teams' rosters, Pittsburgh would figure to have the edge as likely the more competitive franchise in 2025.
However, the Minnesota Vikings have now emerged as a potentially serious contender for Rodgers after weeks of relatively thin speculation from media members on the possibility of a union.
"Vikings decision makers are still evaluating their options at quarterback, including the possibility of signing Aaron Rodgers," The Athletic's Dianna Russini wrote Wednesday, March 12. "The four-time MVP is intrigued by the idea of playing in Minnesota. For now, it’s a waiting game, sources tell [Mike Silver] and me."
ESPN's Kevin Seifert appeared on "SportsCenter" Wednesday, and while his reporting was not as firm as Russini's, it did more than leave the window cracked on a Rodgers-Vikings agreement.
"There's still a possible curveball here," Seifert said. "My understanding is that the Vikings have at least been entertaining the possibility internally of what it would look like to add Aaron Rodgers into this quarterback room."
"The idea would be, you have a 14-win team, you have the reigning coach of the year in Kevin O'Connell, you have an All-Pro receiver in Justin Jefferson, offensive and defensive lines that have been upgraded here in free agency, and also a pretty great defense with Brian Flores," Seifert continued. "So you drop Aaron Rodgers into that mix and potentially you have a Super Bowl favorite for 2025."
