NFL insider reveals Steelers skipped Michigan pro day to meet with Aaron Rodgers

Aaron Rodgers met with the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Friday in what could end up being a pivotal moment in the former NFL MVP’s free agency. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the team took an almost unprecedented step to ensure Rodgers was accommodated.

“I was told the Steelers wanted to make this meeting happen so much, they skipped Michigan‘s Pro Day yesterday,” Fowler said. “Which, if you know the Steelers, that’s a big deal. The whole contingent goes to every big Pro Day, so they stood in town to meet with them.”

Despite the Steelers’ commitment, according to Fowler, Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh was a “get to know” you sort of meeting. Fowler noted that the team is now “aggressively pursuing” the former Packers and Jets quarterback.

“They weren’t talking hard numbers,” Fowler said. “They’ve already got a contract offer standing out to Rodgers in place. They talked about fit. He met with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Mike Tomlin, owner Art Rooney, GM Omar Khan. … He’s number one on their radar. Russell Wilson, not totally off the list, but they would like to try and make this happen.”

Before the two parties met, Fowler noted earlier in the week that the Steelers are “prepared to wait” for Aaron Rodgers to make a decision on his NFL future. That leaves Wilson’s future in Pittsburgh in the hands of Rodgers, but it doesn’t seem to be a lot of momentum for those two reuniting at this point.

Fowler noted that at this point, the Steelers and New York Giants are the two teams vying for the two quarterback’s services. With this being Rodgers’ first free agency in a two decade-long career, it’s unsure what to expect from the veteran signal caller.

He was drafted by Green Bay in 2005, and after a fruitful career the Packers would trade Rodgers to the Jets in 2023. Rodgers missed nearly all of the 2023 season due to a torn Achilles, but returned in 2024 and led the Jets to a 5-12 record despite throwing for 3,897 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Of course, Rodgers has put together a Hall of Fame career, finishing up his 20th NFL season following the 2024 campaign. Over that time, the veteran quarterback has thrown for over 62,000 yards with 503 touchdowns, winning four MVP awards and a Super Bowl title with the Green Bay Packers in 2011, over the Steelers no less.