NFL Insiders Think Aaron Rodgers Gave Steelers 'Loose Assurance' Amid Contract Rumors

There is reportedly some thought within the NFL that the Pittsburgh Steelers and free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers have an understanding of sorts that will ultimately result in them coming to terms on a deal.

During an appearance Saturday on SportsCenter (beginning at the 2:30 mark), ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler said he spoke to several people "in the quarterback market" who believe the Steelers must have gotten a "loose assurance" from Rodgers that he will sign with them:

Fowler added that the Steelers are "optimistic" they will sign Rodgers and "willing to wait" for him to make his final decision.

As free agency has progressed, the quarterback market has essentially dried up aside from Rodgers.

Sam Darnold, who was perhaps the most highly sought after quarterback in free agency, signed with the Seattle Seahawks, but perhaps more notably, the Steelers lost both of their quarterbacks from last season.

Early in free agency, Justin Fields signed with the New York Jets, and Russell Wilson then signed with the New York Giants this week.

Given that the Steelers made the playoffs last season and added star wide receiver DK Metcalf via trade, it always seemed likely that they would attempt to bring in a veteran starting quarterback for 2025.

Aside from a potential trade for Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins, the only viable option at this point is Rodgers.

On the other side of the coin, Fowler noted that signing with the Steelers is perhaps the only realistic result for Rodgers aside from retiring.

Dianna Russini reported this week on her Scoop City podcast that league sources believe Rodgers' preference is to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, but Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah told reporters last week that making 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy the starter in 2025 is "the outcome we want."

Fowler suggested that Rodgers could wait three or four months to see if the Vikings change their minds on McCarthy, but he characterized it as unlikely.

ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t ESPN's Brooke Pryor) reported that Rodgers met with the Steelers brass at the team facility last week for six hours, which means both sides are now quite familiar with each other.

The Steelers could still take a quarterback early in the 2025 NFL draft, but since they have the No. 21 overall pick, they aren't likely to land an immediate starter.

All signs point toward the Steelers signing Rodgers with Mason Rudolph serving as the backup, as it represents perhaps the best opportunity for both Rodgers and the Steelers to succeed in 2025.