(Video) Aaron Rodgers spotted enjoying the Kentucky Derby while the Steelers wait for an answer from the ex-NFL MVP

Free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers attended the 151st edition of the Kentucky Derby race on Saturday.

(Video) Aaron Rodgers spotted enjoying the Kentucky Derby while the Steelers wait for an answer from the ex-NFL MVP

Aaron Rodgers at the 151st Kentucky Derby (Image via IMAGO/X)

Aaron Rodgers went AWOL after briefly appearing on the Pat McAfee Show for one episode last month. The Super Bowl winner and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback target resurfaced at the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday.

Last year, the Steelers applied the quarterback rotation theory. They brought in Super Bowl winner Russell Wilson, famous for his pocket passing and deep ball mechanics. But Wilson no longer has the legs to move out of the pocket.

Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith signed Justin Fields as the perfect complement to Wilson. Fields made a name for himself as a dual threat under center during his time at Ohio State and the Chicago Bears.

Fields won the quarterback battle to start in week one. He showed glimpses of his talent, but Tomlin replaced him after six games and played the remainder of the campaign. The Ravens eventually ended the Steelers’ year in the Wild Card round.

The Steelers released both Wilson and Fields in the offseason and began hunting for a veteran quarterback as their starter for 2025. Aaron Rodgers became their prime target.

Rodgers was part of the New York Jets team that finished 5-12 in 2024. The Jets decided to undergo a complete overhaul at the coaching position by signing former Lions DC Aaron Glenn as their new head coach. Glenn and Rodgers didn’t see eye to eye. Even though the four-time NFL MVP wanted to stick around, the Jets released him, and he ended up in free agency.

Aaron Rodgers watched the Kentucky Derby with Will Levis, Jaxson Dart, and several other familiar athletes

Rodgers instantly became the number one free agent in the league. Three teams aggressively pursued the former Packer: the Steelers, the New York Giants, and the Minnesota Vikings.

(Video) Aaron Rodgers spotted enjoying the Kentucky Derby while the Steelers wait for an answer from the ex-NFL MVP
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

The Vikings decided to start second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy while new signing Sam Howell sits on the bench. The Giants also opted against playing the waiting game. They signed Wilson and Jameis Winston and drafted Ole Miss graduate Jaxson Dart.

This left the Steelers as the clear favorites to land Rodgers, and they are prepared to wait as long as possible for the 41-year-old to make up his mind. While there’s barely any confirmation on whether he will even play football anymore, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler recently said that all signs point to Rodgers signing a one-year contract with the AFC North side.

While former and current Steelers players wait in agony to find out who their next quarterback will be, Rodgers was spotted at the 151st Kentucky Derby on Saturday. NBC cameras captured a glimpse of the future Hall of Famer enjoying the event, which he has been attending for the better part of the last decade.  

Dart, his Giants teammate Wan’Dale Robinson, Olympic gold medalist gymnast Simone Biles, and her husband, Bears DB Jonathan Owens, also watched the race.

Perhaps Rodgers’ appearance at the Derby is a sign that the Steelers fans might get an answer from him soon. There’s a rumor going around that Rodgers has a handshake agreement in place with Tomlin and the Steelers.

Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, who believes the Steelers will sign their target, backed the theory.

This is a tired connection at this point, with Pittsburgh publicly teasing Rodgers’ arrival for what’s felt like months on end. Yet it remains the most logical play for a Steelers team currently projected to open 2025 with Mason Rudolph and rookie Will Howard under center, even if Rodgers is a rental at age 41.

Cody Benjamin wrote

2024 wasn’t a great year for the veteran quarterback in terms of winning moments with his team. However, he still completed 368 passes for 3897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 picks.

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