The Pittsburgh Steelers are the favorites to land New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. According to sportsbetting.ag, Rodgers’ top location is the Steelers, with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, Las Vegas Raiders, and others following them.
However, the Steelers have even odds to land Rodgers, which would be a monumental move for Pittsburgh. Rodgers and head coach Mike Tomlin have shared moments in the past, with Tomlin expressing his respect for Rodgers. In December, Rodgers reciprocated that respect.
“There’s only one Mike Tomlin, fist and foremost, and you have to give Mike credit. He’s got the special sauce,” Rodgers said. “He seems to understand how to motivate his guys every single year. For him to not have a losing season is absolutely ridiculous. … I’ve always respected Mike from afar and I think he’s done one hell of a job in Pittsburgh.”
Rodgers, who the previous Jets regime traded for from the Green Bay Packers, tore his Achilles in his first game with the team. This year, with a full season, he threw for 3897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. However, the Jets finished 5-12 even after acquiring Davante Adams.
It is likely the Jets will designate Rodgers as a post-June 1 cut to save as much cap space as possible, and then when free agency hits, Rodgers can look to sign with any team.
In January, Steelers insider Gerry Dulac stated that if Rodgers became a free agent, there was ‘no chance’ the Steelers would be in on him.
“I can tell you it will not be Aaron Rodgers,” Dulac said. “They have no interest in that.”
The Steelers would like to bring back one of Russell Wilson or Justin Fields, according to team president Art Rooney II, but it remains to be seen how those negotiations will transpire.