Aaron Rodgers comments on Mike Tomlin, potential future with Steelers

After a tumultuous offseason filled with rumors concerning quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ next destination, he is once again on the field with the Green Bay Packers. 

Since Rodgers’ renegotiated contract now makes him a free agent no later than the 2023 offseason, new speculation about his next team, whether that is next year or the following, is swirling. 

In a Sunday afternoon game between the Packers and the Steelers, Rodgers and Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin exchanged a now-viral look. When Pittsburgh’s defense was out of alignment and Rodgers was poised to take advantage of it, Tomlin quickly called a timeout. 

This was when Tomlin took a timeout that kept Rodgers from catching the #Steelers unprepared during the first half. Good camera work by @NFLonCBS. pic.twitter.com/XPGKnSouko

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) October 3, 2021

The interaction sparked conversation that Rodgers would like to make Pittsburgh his next destination. Given the Steelers’ recent quarterback woes, they’d likely be happy to have him.

On Tuesday, Rodgers joined the Pat McAfee Show to discuss his future and his relationship with Tomlin, who has been in Pittsburgh since 2007.

“I’m a big Mike Tomlin fan,” Rodgers said. “I have been for a long time. I like the way he speaks about his team. I like the way he goes about his business. I like his confidence. I’ve heard nothing but good things from guys who have played there. I like Mike Tomlin. I also liked it when he called that timeout when we tried to catch him with 12 on the field. He was kinda smirking about that.”

ESPN’s McAfee pressed Rodgers further, asking him about how the interaction became big news and if he ever thinks about his next step.

“Look, I’m just speaking the truth,” Rodgers responded. “Ask me a question about Mike Tomlin, I’m going to tell how I feel about Mike Tomlin. If you want to take that and run with it and say I’m angling for some sort of next team or something, I’m not. I’m just answering the question about my respect for Mike and what he’s accomplished in the league and same for talking about Ben [Roethlisberger].”

Surprisingly, Sunday was just the second time Rodgers has faced the Steelers in a regular season game. After the 27-17 victory, he is now 1-1 during regular season play against them. Of course, Rodgers had one of the defining moments of his career against the Steelers when Green Bay faced them in Super Bowl XLV. The quarterback was the MVP of the game that year, posting 304 yards and three touchdowns en route to a 31-25 victory.