Mike Tomlin Reportedly Was Fine Using Aaron Rodgers' Timeline amid Steelers Contract

It took several months, but Aaron Rodgers finally agreed to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday.

While it was a lengthy process, head coach Mike Tomlin was reportedly fine sticking with Rodgers' timeline, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor.

"Longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin loomed large throughout the process and was a drawing card for Rodgers, according to sources, who added that Tomlin was happy to work within Rodgers' timeline this offseason," Pryor wrote.

The Steelers also "never wavered in their belief that Rodgers eventually would sign with them," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Steelers were one of the earliest teams linked to Rodgers after the New York Jets parted ways with him. The 41-year-old's Pittsburgh fate seemed even more likely after the team's quarterbacks, Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, signed with the New York Giants and Jets, respectively.

As the offseason continued, the Minnesota Vikings emerged as a possible landing spot for Rodgers, but they were out on him by April. After the Vikings passed on Rodgers, his two options seemed to be either the Steelers or retirement.

Rodgers visited the Steelers in March, and that meeting reportedly lasted more than six hours. Despite what appeared to be a good visit, it still took him more than two months to make his decision.

As Pittsburgh waited for Rodgers' decision, it didn't do much to fill the void at the quarterback position. The Steelers passed on all of the top free agent options and didn't draft a quarterback until the sixth round when they selected Ohio State's Will Howard.

It's fair to say that if Rodgers hadn't signed with the Steelers, they would have been ill-prepared at quarterback, and their options would have been slim.

Ultimately, that's not a reality Pittsburgh will have to face as it enters a new era with the four-time MVP under center. Though Rodgers likely has only so much left in the tank at this point, he had a decent season last year with 3,897 passing yards and 28 touchdowns.

Now, the legendary quarterback will look to lead the Steelers to their first playoff win in a decade.