ESPN insider Peter Schrager: Steelers backed themselves into a corner by pursuing Aaron Rodgers

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the midst of OTAs and still, no Aaron Rodgers. The 41-year-old quarterback has yet to decide if he wants to return for a 21st NFL season, and there remains “no update” on Pittsburgh’s pursuit of him, ESPN‘s Peter Schrager said on Wednesday’s “Get Up.”

Now three months out from the beginning of the 2025 season, the Steelers’ quarterback room consists of Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. Pittsburgh has a veteran-laden roster under the mindset that the team is in win-now mode. As a result, Schrager believes the Steelers have “put themselves in this corner” of having to hold out for Rodgers to make a decision.

“This isn’t the Jets last year or two years ago, where it’s a desperate franchise that needs a savior in Aaron Rodgers. This is the Pittsburgh Steelers, who have all the Super Bowl trophies and guys in the locker room who think they can be competitive this year,” Schrager said. “You have Cam Heyward, who has already spoken out publicly. Minkah Fitzpatrick, TJ Watt, who’s not there in camp right now. Truth of the matter is that the Steelers have put themselves in this corner.

“When Aaron Rodgers met with them and the Giants, he said, ‘I do not have a timetable. If you’re not comfortable with that, go ahead and move on.’ The Giants promptly moved on and signed Jameis Winston, Russell Wilson and drafted a rookie quarterback [Jaxson Dart] that’s going to compete for the starting job at some point in the season. The Steelers sat on their hands, waited and said, ‘It’s on you.’ I’ve gotten texts from Steelers people the last two months saying, ‘No update.’ I texted someone this morning and the text back was, ‘No update.'”

Steelers waiting for Aaron Rodgers as OTAs are underway

There is at least one backup option if Rodgers opts to retire. Kirk Cousins, benched by the Atlanta Falcons last season in favor of Michael Penix Jr., could be available for trade and previous reports indicate the Steelers have interest in the 36-year-old.

But Pittsburgh’s offseason has been about chasing and now waiting for Rodgers. The four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion is option No. 1. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network said Tuesday that something could change next week at the start of mandatory minicamp.

“We’re sort of, unfortunately, where we were, which is them giving him, he’s dealing with his personal stuff, his time, them hoping and believing that he is going to join them and be their quarterback, but not 100% knowing,” Rapoport said on The Pat McAfee Show. “There’s been nothing to kind of push that. Now this time next week is the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp, maybe it changes.

“That might be interesting, and that would be a time when it would make sense for him to go in, sign if he’s going to sign, get his playbook going for the summer. So, that’s my thought and that makes the most sense, but it is Aaron Rodgers, so I would literally rule nothing out.”