The biggest question of the NFL offseason could be answered this weekend.
Or Aaron Rodgers’ long-awaited decision could keep lingering, stretching all the way until Week 1 of the 2025 season.
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No one doubts that the Pittsburgh Steelers want Rodgers to be their new quarterback.
Rodgers, who has earned more than $380 million in his 20-year career, could sign a one-year, $30m deal with the team, according to some sources.
But the slow dance between one of the NFL’s most famous teams and a future Hall of Fame quarterback continued this week, and Rodgers was absent from OTAs while Pittsburgh’s players worked out as his shadow lurked in the background.
When will Rodgers finally sign with the Steelers — if he even does?
Brian Batko, Steelers beat writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, exclusively told talkSPORT that no specific time has been given for when Rodgers must report to the team.
But with the start of training camp an estimated 55 days away, Rodgers is missing out on critical practice time during OTAs and the ability to create on-field rhythm with his potential new teammates.
“Training camp certainly would be kind of the absolute finish line for when you need to start installing this stuff and going through padded practices,” Batko said.
The Steelers’ OTAs run in two sessions: May 27-29 and June 3-5.
A mandatory minicamp is scheduled for June 10-12.
Rodgers made national news last year when he skipped a New York Jets mandatory minicamp session with an ‘unexcused’ absence.
Which means that a huge decision for the Steelers could be pushed into the late summer.
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Pittsburgh officially opens its 2025 season on Sunday, September 7 with a must-see road game against the Jets — if Rodgers is the starting QB for the black-and-gold.
“Some people are even throwing out, almost tongue in cheek, ‘Well, they’ll wait til Week 1,’ ” Batko said.
“That’s not realistic. That doesn’t make sense.
“But the more you keep moving the goalpost back, outlandish things like that do seem less outlandish.”
An even crazier theory has been connected to Rodgers and the Steelers.
Pittsburgh will join the Minnesota Vikings as the first NFL teams to play a regular-season game in Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park on Sunday, September 28.
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While the Vikings will also become the first team in NFL history to play three consecutive games in three different countries, the Steelers will leave Dublin staring at a bye week.
A two-week layoff will give Pittsburgh 13 days without playing a game early in the season.
“Maybe he can get 10 extra days to get up to speed if he signs then,” Batko said.
“There have been all kinds of theories like that.
“There have been theories about people saying he’s waiting until after the NFL schedule release to avoid more primetime attention.”
That theory recently fell flat, but Rodgers still hadn’t signed with the Steelers as of Friday morning, despite being linked to the team for months.
If the 41-year-old QB keeps waiting, he could have something else in common with ex-Green Bay teammate Brett Favre.
Favre, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016, also played for the Jets after forcing his way off the Packers.
Waiting on Rodgers
Key dates for Pittsburgh Steelers
OTAs: May 27-29, June 3-5
Mandatory minicamp: June 10-12
Week 1 season opener: September 7 at New York Jets
NFL in Dublin: September 28 vs Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park
In 2009, one of the most famous QBs in NFL history waited all the way until August 19 to sign with the rival Minnesota Vikings.
“I felt I did everything I possibly could do to get where I need to be,” Favre said.
“You’re 39, your arm may not feel like it did at 21. But the pieces are in place that you don’t have to do that much and I agree with that.
“If they were willing to take that chance, I was, too.”
The Steelers have made it clear they’re willing to wait on Rodgers.
But the longer he delays, the less likely that Pittsburgh pining for a 41-year-old QB will end with another Super Bowl trophy for the Steelers.
“That’s a joke. That to me is just a joke,” Pittsburgh legend Terry Bradshaw said.
“What are you going to do? Bring him in for one year, are you kidding me?
“That guy needs to stay in California. Go somewhere and chew on bark and whisper to the gods out there.”
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