Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has finally put an end to rumors and speculations about his future. The four-time NFL MVP is set to join his third NFL franchise, the six-time Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, for the upcoming season.
One NFL insider shared his take on why Rodgers delayed signing with the franchise until the mandatory minicamp.
NFL Insider On Why Aaron Rodgers Delayed His Decision Until Minicamp
The Rodgers free agency saga saw a ton of subtle hints, intense speculations and increasing hype. However, after weeks and weeks of anticipation, Rodgers has reportedly given his nod to the Steelers.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that Rodgers plans to sign with the Steelers, and it is likely to be a one-year deal. Neither the player nor the franchise has made any official announcement about the decision. As per Garry Dulac, a Steelers beat reporter, Rodgers will attend the Steelers’ minicamp next week.
The Pittsburgh squad completed their OTAs, with the mandatory minicamp will begin next week. NFL insider Albert Breer made a revelation about Rodgers’ logic behind delaying the deal and the Steelers’ reason to continue to wait for the ten-time Pro Bowler.
“The Steelers were patient with Aaron Rodgers as he dealt with his personal matters,” Breer wrote. “And their sense was Rodgers wanted to avoid the noise he created in missing [the New York Jets] minicamp last year, which colored his decision not to sign until he was ready to show up and go all-in.”
The @Steelers were patient with Aaron Rodgers as he dealt with his personal matters. And their sense was Rodgers wanted to avoid the noise he created in missing @NYJets minicamp last year, which colored his decision not to sign until he was ready to show up and go all-in.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) June 5, 2025
Rodgers skipping early offseason work is nothing new—he did the same in 2021 while butting heads with the Packers’ front office. He was frustrated with how the team handled decisions, especially the surprise Jordan Love pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
His absence wasn’t just about missing workouts; it was a clear message that he wasn’t happy with how things were run. Rodgers also missed the Jets’ minicamp for a vacation to Egypt.
The Steelers made their offer to Rodgers in the second week of March, but the 41-year-old kept them waiting. The franchise drafted Ohio State product Will Howard in this year’s NFL Draft, following the addition of Skylar Thompson from the Miami Dolphins in January.
Since Mason Rudolph also returned to Pittsburgh in March, the Steelers had only one open quarterback spot, and they kept the door open for one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. Rodgers told Pat McAfee in the April episode of “The Pat McAfee Show” that his intention is not to keep anyone hostage, and the Steelers are free to move on from him if they so choose.
Since 2021, Pittsburgh has been 24th in overall dropback rate, a ranking that falls to 29th if you only include snaps taken when the game is within a single score. And who could blame them? The quarterback talent has been sporadic at best and the receiver play inconsistent. This move should give the coaches more confidence in calling plays, but more importantly, in finishing drives.
