The reason for the delay by the Pittsburgh Steelers in re-signing at least one of their two free agent quarterbacks reportedly has a name — and it’s Aaron Rodgers.
ESPN and NFL Network reported Monday morning that the Steelers are focusing on the quarterback position after acquiring Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf to end a two-season pursuit of a No. 1 option in the passing game.
Rodgers, 41, is a free agent after the New York Jets informed him last month that they were going another direction following two seasons and a coaching change.
The Steelers reportedly have kept the door open for Russell Wilson or Justin Fields to return after reaching the playoffs last season. Fields was 4-2 to open the season as Wilson recovered from a preseason calf injury. Wilson returned in Week 7 and won six of seven games before the Steelers ended the season on a four-game losing streak to limp into the playoffs.
They lost to the Baltimore Ravens 28-14 in the wild-card round.
Wilson and Metcalf played three seasons together with the Seahawks.
Rodgers passed for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2024, returning from a season-ending Achilles injury suffered in his first game with the Jets in September 2023.
The 10-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time NFL MVP also has been reported as an option for the New York Giants.