Aaron Rodgers Contract Pursuit Won't Affect Steelers' NFL Draft Plans, Says Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for a decision from veteran free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but they won't let the delay affect their strategy in Thursday's NFL draft.

When asked if the situation with Rodgers has any impact on the team's draft plans, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters, "It does not." However, when asked if the outcome of the draft could affect the team's pursuit of Rodgers, Tomlin answered affirmatively.

The Steelers added backup quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson this offseason, but they're still in need of a starter. Pittsburgh owns the No. 21 pick in the first round and could be eyeing a quarterback if the draft board falls its way. General manager Omar Khan said all possibilities are on the table.

"I know you’re gonna ask about the quarterback position," Khan said at the start of Tuesday's press conference, per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "I'll just tell you guys the same thing we discussed in Palm Beach [at the league meetings] a couple of weeks ago. We go to camp with four quarterbacks. Right now, we have two on the roster. All options are on the table on how we acquire the last two. I assure you we’ll have four when we get to [training camp at] Latrobe."

Per Alper, Khan added that "he thinks it is unlikely that the Steelers, who have six picks, will make a move up the draft board and that he thinks it’s a good quarterback class, but stopped well short of saying that they’ll be selecting one."

In its latest mock draft, B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted the Steelers would use the No. 21 pick to select Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

While a decision from Rodgers would make things easier for Pittsburgh, Tomlin made it clear that the team won't be hindered from addressing other areas on the roster.