However—much to the dismay of the Black and Gold faithful—that was pre-free agency, before both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson had left the Steel City. If Aaron Rodgers—the only truly ideal 2025 starting-caliber QB left for Pittsburgh—retires before playing a snap for the Steelers, Mason Rudolph would be the next man up.

The Steelers, with whom Rodgers visited Friday, have “a long-established culture, a family-business feel, and stability, just like Green Bay,” noted Breer, who added it’s an “area where the Steelers have an edge.”

There's one underlying narrative to this Aaron Rodgers free agency saga that's worth considering.Rodgers has yet to decide between the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and maybe even retirement.But in one of those destinations,

O'Connell must decide if he's committed to signing the future Hall of Famer rather than starting 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy.

If Aaron Rodgers wants half a chance at being great anymore, he'll have to become everything he never has been as a quarterback, writes Doug Farrar.