ESPN's Jeremy Fowler: Steelers 'in a position' to wait on Aaron Rodgers, have contingency plan in place

The legal tampering period for free agency began last Monday. Now, 11 days later, Aaron Rodgers has yet to decide where he will continue his NFL career.

At least three teams have expressed interest in the four-time MVP: The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings. The latter have reportedly taken themselves out of the running, leaving the 41-year-old Rodgers with limited options. Pittsburgh has a “standing offer” on the table and is willing to wait for Rodgers, ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler said on “Get Up.”

“The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a position to wait on Aaron Rodgers,” Fowler said Friday. “Talking to people around the league, they believe Pittsburgh is the most likely to wait this out. They have a standing offer out there to Rodgers.”

Rodgers spent the last two years with the New York Jets after coming over via trade from the Green Bay Packers, but his first season in New York ended on his first drive of the 2023 season due to an Achilles injury. In 2024, he threw for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns, along with 11 interceptions – marking two straight full seasons with at least 10 picks. The Jets officially released Rodgers last Wednesday.

Steelers waiting on Aaron Rodgers to make decision on NFL future

Pittsburgh had Justin Fields and Russell Wilson under contract in 2024. Fields signed with the Jets, while Wilson remains a free agent. If Rodgers ends up in Pittsburgh, he will have receiver George Pickens and the recently acquired DK Metcalf as his primary weapons, in addition to tight end Pat Freiermuth.

The Steelers have a contingency plan in place should Rodgers choose elsewhere. That, according to Fowler, is Mason Rudolph. Pittsburgh drafted Rudolph in 2018, and he served as the team’s backup through the 2023 season. Rudolph signed a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason with the Steelers following a one-year stay with the Tennessee Titans.

“They already have their contingency plan in the building in Mason Rudolph — a quarterback they drafted and developed over the years. They can play him in a pinch,” Fowler said.

But rolling with Rudolph isn’t Pittsburgh’s desired path. Right now, it seems like it’s Rodgers or bust.

“But they’re not looking at a lot of other options right now,” Fowler said. “It seems to be Rodgers or bust for Pittsburgh.”