Long-time sportscaster makes honest admission about Aaron Rodgers to Steelers rumors

NBC's Mike Tirico told Kay Adams that he wants to see Aaron Rodgers as the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback but fears it may not happen.

Long-time sportscaster makes honest admission about Aaron Rodgers to Steelers rumors

Mike Tirico and Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO/X)

The Pittsburgh Steelers made the express decision to pursue Aaron Rodgers in the offseason in hopes of landing the 4x Super Bowl MVP. As a result, Mike Tomlin and Omar Khan relinquished the chances of drafting someone like Shedeur Sanders.

They took Oregon’s Derrick Harmon. Sanders went to the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers eventually selected a quarterback in the sixth round. 2024 CFP Champion with Ohio State, Will Howard, became the third name in the quarterback locker room behind Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson.

Fans are okay with Rudolph starting under center, but Tomlin is waiting for Rodgers. It’s currently the month of May, and there’s barely any news on whether the 41-year-old would sign a contract.

Longtime NBC sportscaster Mike Tirico was the special guest in this week’s special Up & Adams show on the eve of the Kentucky Derby. Host Kay Adams brought up Rodgers’ famous breakup with the Jets, which involved a not-so-healthy final meeting with new head coach Aaron Glenn.

I thought his [Aaron Rodgers’] comments about personal life and those other things kind of encroaching on the space of full dedication to football were an indication that it might be the end.

Mike Tirico said

The Jets released Rodgers following their 5-12 record in 2024. He still had a couple more years left in the contract, but ended up entering free agency for the first time in his two-decade-long NFL career.

Tirico believes that Rodgers still has juice left in him and the Steelers could benefit from having the Super Bowl winner starting under center.

I want to see Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh [with Tomlin]. I would love to see that marriage—you don’t need to score 30 with the Steelers; you can score 22 or 19. Just get us down in position for a game-winning field goal.

Mike Tirico said

Tirico’s fears about Aaron Rodgers might come true

Rodgers briefly flew down to Pittsburgh for a chat with the Steelers brass. Hardly anyone outside the few has any clue about what they discussed.

Long-time sportscaster makes honest admission about Aaron Rodgers to Steelers rumors
Aaron Rodgers (Image via IMAGO)

Shortly after, the Steelers fans thought they had finally locked down their quarterback after Rodgers was seen playing catch with their new wide receiver signing DK Metcalf at the UCLA grounds.

It turned out to be a dud. Rodgers disappeared off the grid, and reports surfaced that he might decide about his future after the NFL draft. This has worried Tirico.

I still think [Rodgers] can [be effective] often enough that I’d love to see that marriage happen. But, as we get down to May, my confidence of [Rodgers signing with the Steelers] that happening has diminished significantly.

Mike Tirico revealed

Rodgers has three options in his hands. He can either sign with the Steelers, retire from football, or play the waiting game.

Retirement is a genuine possibility because it came directly from his mouth.

I’m open to anything and attached to nothing. Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now, my focus has been—and will continue to be—on my personal life.

Aaron Rodgers said while appearing on the Pat McAfee Show last month

However, the Steelers’ owner, Art Rooney, is optimistic about roping in another famous name to his blue-chip organization.

We’re still kind of getting the same signals that we’ve been getting recently… [Aaron Rodgers] does want to come here, so I do think we may get word soon.

Art Rooney told Steelers Nation Radio on Friday (H/T: Talksport)

The Steelers won’t have to spend much by bringing Rodgers in. He would be ready to suit up in the black and gold with a $10 million/year paycheck. Now the only course left is for Rodgers to sign the contract.

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