The Pittsburgh Steelers showed how serious they are about quarterback Aaron Rodgers by meeting with him Friday, and they did so in more ways than one.
In an appearance on “SportsCenter” Saturday, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed just how serious the Steelers were about taking the meeting with Rodgers on Friday. Fowler noted that the team’s staff skipped Michigan’s Pro Day to meet with Rodgers, an event their entire contingent typically attends.
“I was told the Steelers wanted to make this meeting happen so much, they skipped Michigan’s Pro Day yesterday,” Fowler said. “If you know the Steelers, that’s a big deal. The whole contingent goes to every big Pro Day.”
Fowler added that the Steelers are “aggressively pursuing” Rodgers, and that he is clearly their top priority at the quarterback position.
The Steelers were not completely without representation at Michigan’s Pro Day. Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that defensive coordinator Teryl Austin was in attendance, even if the rest of the team’s staff were not.
The Wolverines have several players who could be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft, and a host of others who could go a bit later. Tight end Colston Loveland and cornerback Will Johnson are seen as among the best players available at their respective positions, so it is not as if the Steelers felt there was nothing worth looking at in Ann Arbor.
The visit has been described as the two parties getting to know one another, but Rodgers left Pittsburgh without a contract. It’s clear that the Steelers prioritized making it happen, possibly thinking that a face-to-face meeting would persuade Rodgers to join them.
Although there is currently no reciprocal interest, Rodgers eventually opted to sign with a different team in free agency. He seems to be taking his time in making a choice, but if he wants to play in 2025, the Steelers might be his only viable option.
