ESPN analyst hedges his bet on Aaron Rodgers due to Mike Tomlin's history with Steelers quarterbacks of the past
Mike Tomlin was gifted Ben Roethlisberger when he took over as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. A sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer who won multiple championships in the Tom Brady era, Big Ben is probably the best to ever spin it in Pittsburgh. But since he's been gone, it's been a revolving door […]
Mike Tomlin was gifted Ben Roethlisberger when he took over as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A sure-fire first-ballot Hall of Famer who won multiple championships in the Tom Brady era, Big Ben is probably the best to ever spin it in Pittsburgh.
But since he's been gone, it's been a revolving door at the Steelers QB position, and that could be because of Mike Tomlin according to ESPN's Chris Canty…
Aaron Rodgers latest in line of revolving door at Steelers QB?
"‘Oh, well, Aaron Rodgers is going to a more talented team in the Pittsburgh Steelers than what he had to deal with in the last two years with New York.’ No, he ain’t," said Canty. If you’re betting on seeing a different version of Aaron Rodgers, you are making a huge bet on Mike Tomlin and giving him the benefit of the doubt. And I don’t know how you can do that with Mike Tomlin specific to quarterback play with the revolving door that the Pittsburgh Steelers have experienced at that position over the last half-decade.”
While Canty's point on the list of names that have been trotted out under Mike Tomlin is valid, none of them truly hold a candle to Aaron Rodgers. Mitch Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Russell Wilson, Justin Fields…
None of the starters in the post-Big Ben era have the resume and arguably current talent of Rodgers.
So two things can be true. Mike Tomlin, along with other members of the Steelers brass have botched their search for the next franchise signal caller to this point, and Aaron Rodgers can fulfill the goals of the franchise in their current state.
The Steelers and Rodgers have no issue monetarily. That has been well documented at this point. It's all up to Rodgers and his decision on whether or not he wants to play or retire.
That alone should tell you that the Steelers aren't overly invested in Rodgers in the long term. Another one to two seasons is likely all he has, and for the Steelers, next year's NFL Draft will be where they look to find their future franchise signal caller (barring they don't reach for one next month.)
Tomlin has something to prove the same way Rodgers does. The noise has started to get loud surrounding both, and with their backs against the wall, two of the most highly viewed at their respective positions could make for an intriguing duo.
