As the NFL offseason progresses, the Pittsburgh Steelers remain in a holding pattern, awaiting a decision from free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers. With the new league year well underway, speculation continues to swirl about why the four-time NFL MVP has yet to commit to a team. Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger, a future Hall of Famer himself, offered his take on the situation during the latest episode of his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, suggesting that Rodgers may have his sights set on a different destination.
“I think Aaron is secretly still holding out for Minnesota,” Roethlisberger said. “Which is why he hasn’t signed with the Steelers. Why else would you go throw with DK [Metcalf] and be working out, and blast it to everybody that ‘I’m throwing to these guys,’ but you won’t sign?” His theory points to Rodgers potentially stalling in hopes of landing with the Minnesota Vikings, a team Roethlisberger believes the veteran quarterback views as a more complete contender for a Super Bowl run.
Rodgers, who parted ways with the New York Jets after two seasons, has been heavily linked to the Steelers in recent weeks. Pittsburgh has made significant moves this offseason, including acquiring star wide receiver DK Metcalf in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks, a move that seemed to signal their intent to pair him with a high-profile quarterback like Rodgers. The two were even spotted working out together recently, further fueling speculation of an imminent signing. Yet, despite the apparent synergy and interest from the Steelers’ front office, no deal has materialized.
Roethlisberger, who spent 18 seasons as Pittsburgh’s signal-caller and led the team to two Super Bowl titles, acknowledged the appeal of Rodgers joining the Steelers. “I really believe that he’s going to be a Steeler,” he said, expressing confidence in the eventual outcome. However, he couldn’t ignore the delay, suggesting that Rodgers’ hesitation might stem from a belief that Minnesota offers a better shot at postseason success. “I just think he thinks that Minnesota is a more complete, closer team to win a Super Bowl, and he might not be wrong,” Roethlisberger added.
The Vikings, who finished the 2024 regular season with a 14-3 record, have publicly endorsed their 2024 first-round pick, J.J. McCarthy, as their quarterback of the future. However, neither head coach Kevin O’Connell nor general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has entirely ruled out pursuing Rodgers, leaving the door slightly ajar. This ambiguity may be what Rodgers is banking on, according to Roethlisberger.
For Pittsburgh, the waiting game is testing the patience of fans and players alike. Steelers president Art Rooney II has remained optimistic, recently stating that Rodgers is “headed in our direction” and that the team is willing to wait “a little while longer” for a decision. However, with the 2025 NFL Draft approaching and the Steelers holding the No. 21 overall pick, the team may soon need to pivot if Rodgers’ indecision drags on.
Roethlisberger also expressed faith in the Steelers’ current quarterback, Mason Rudolph, as a fallback option. “Mason can get the guys the ball,” he said. “He’s not afraid to take shots down the field. That’s what you’ve got to do when you have George Pickens and DK Metcalf.” Still, the allure of adding a quarterback of Rodgers’ caliber—a player Roethlisberger called “a different animal” due to his arm talent and football IQ—remains a tantalizing prospect for a franchise desperate to end a playoff victory drought stretching back nearly a decade.