Greater than two months have passed by since free company started and the Pittsburgh Steelers are nonetheless ready on Aaron Rodgers. The workforce has proven uncommon endurance for a free agent however with spring practices starting, the clock looks as if it must be ticking on Rodgers to resolve. Tuesday, ESPN Steelers beat author Brooke Pryor downplayed that notion.
“I’ve talked with a number of Steelers sources this morning and so they mentioned it’s the established order,” she mentioned on SportsCenter. “They proceed to stay in communication with Aaron Rodgers and so they’re nonetheless optimistic that they in the end find yourself touchdown him.”
Yesterday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported the Steelers stay in “communication” with Rodgers and his camp however like Pryor’s reporting, haven’t any handshake deal or timetable for when he’ll resolve and arrive, must be signal. Pittsburgh begins their first of six OTA practices one week from immediately following by a three-day minicamp in June that’s obligatory for all gamers beneath contract.
The exercises aren’t intense and even in pads however they’d be essential constructing blocks for Rodgers to study the offense and his new teammates. Deciding earlier than then would additionally present his dedication to the workforce and never power present Steelers to be requested questions on Rodgers’ doable signing and who would be the beginning quarterback of the workforce.
Whereas it appears like there must be urgency for Rodgers to make up his thoughts quickly, Pryor’s understanding is the workforce isn’t involved about his timeline.
“There isn’t a agency deadline on when he might report and signal with the Steelers,” Pryor mentioned. “And the Steelers are snug with that as a result of they imagine that he’s a plug-and-play participant the place it doesn’t matter when he reveals up. You place him within the lineup and he’s gonna be good to go.”
If true, it’s a daring play by Pittsburgh. Rodgers is a 20-year veteran with a excessive soccer IQ. However even a participant along with his resume wants reps to assimilate into the offense and acquire timing along with his receivers and remainder of the offense. Rodgers brings a excessive normal of element and perfection, it’s why he’s a future Corridor of Famer, and the less reps he will get, the tougher it’ll be for everybody else to satisfy that mark.
Pittsburgh nonetheless has a younger offense with a youthful offensive line, a rookie operating again in Kaleb Johnson, and younger receivers like Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Two gamers Pittsburgh are relying on after buying and selling George Pickens.
Ideally, Rodgers indicators with the Steelers earlier than OTAs start. That’s finest for the workforce. But when not, the group don’t appear to be sweating it, a calculation that would show pricey when the season begins in September.
