ESPN's Dan Graziano: Steelers should 'look at other options' if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign by June minicamp

The Steelers have a mandatory minicamp scheduled for the second week of June, running from June 10 through June 12. If Aaron Rodgers isn’t signed by then, ESPN’s Dan Graziano believes the franchise should cut bait on their experiment with the veteran quarterback.

“I think that the mini camp that’s coming up here in the second week of June is an important date to watch,” Graziano revealed, via Get Up on Friday. “I’m not saying that’s a drop-dead deadline for the Steelers, but if Aaron Rodgers is not at that mini camp, that means he doesn’t do any on-field work with the Steelers until the end of July, at the start of training camp.

“That feels far-fetched to me, that a 41-year-old, who didn’t play well last year, didn’t play at all the year before, didn’t play well the year before that, jumps right in at the start of training camp, picks up a new offense and leads this team to that much more than Mason Rudolph could. I just feel like, if he’s not there by that mini camp, they have to look at other options.”

If Pittsburgh looks to go in a different direction, it would certainly put their entire plan this offseason under the microscope. One person who thinks the Steelers shouldn’t sign Rodgers regardless is Michael Wilbon, as he added that he believes the franchise should simply move forward without the veteran, no matter what.

“They’re making a mistake if they let him anywhere near their building,” Wilbon proclaimed. “What are we talking about people? Just look at what actually happens in sports. Aaron Rodgers hasn’t been a relevant quarterback in the NFL for four or five seasons. What are we talking about?

“The Steelers are not — the hallmark of the Pittsburgh Steelers is not stupidity. It’s a smart organization that makes the right moves over decades, and they’re gonna bring Aaron Rodgers in, with all his drama into that room, really? The Mike Tomlin we know, he’s going to deal with that nonsense for a guy who can’t play?

“I’m not talking — yes, he will wear a gold jacket. He’s earned it. He’s not wearing it now. He’s not going to play in a gold jacket. The fact that we have now spent this much time talking about Aaron damn Rodgers, Memorial Day Weekend, is insane. Stop with Aaron Rodgers, stop.”

It remains to be seen what the Steelers choose to do, but it seems like the clock is ticking on a decision from Aaron Rodgers. Pittsburgh has to know which quarterback they’ll be riding with sooner rather than later, especially if they want to compete in 2025.