NFL insider says the Steelers brass had to hide their recent meeting with Aaron Rodgers from the rest of Pittsburgh's staff
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached DEFCON 1 at quarterback. With both of their 2024 starters in New York after Russell Wilson's decision to join the Giants, it truly is Aaron Rodgers or bust at this point. And following an update from Josina Anderson regarding last week's meeting between Rodgers and the Steelers, it's clear they […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers have reached DEFCON 1 at quarterback.
With both of their 2024 starters in New York after Russell Wilson's decision to join the Giants, it truly is Aaron Rodgers or bust at this point.
And following an update from Josina Anderson regarding last week's meeting between Rodgers and the Steelers, it's clear they want him bad…
Steelers did their best to meet with Aaron Rodgers in secret
I'm told that when Aaron Rodgers met with Steelers brass and offensive coordinator Arthur Smith during Rodgers' visit –that the conversation was already "beyond the pitch" and really more about football. Smith and Rodgers watched film together and chatted about their thoughts. From Pittsburgh's viewpoint, I heard they walked away that day feeling really good about the vibe of the meeting, per a league source. Also interesting how Steelers brass pulled the Rodgers visit off so discreetly initially* –calling a team meeting (rounding everyone up and away) that day.
– Josina Anderson, The Exhbit, via Twitter-X
It was clear that the Rodgers meeting was meant to be a secret one. Had the leak to Gerry Dulac never happened, there is a chance we're still in the dark regarding the get-together.
The fact that the Steelers rounded up the staff that wasn't Mike Tomlin, Art Rooney, Arthur Smith, and Omar Khan and told them essentially to kick rocks shows how under wraps they wanted this meeting.
Why? Because Aaron Rodgers hates leaks, he hates the media knowing things, and he plays all of his cards extremely close to his vest. When he got to the New York Jets, he addressed the culture and the abundance of leaks that came out.
So, Pittsburgh knew they had to batten down the hatches. Dulac is close with the owners, and perhaps Art Rooney or someone else who was walking out of the building caught a glimpse of Rodgers and tipped him off before the contingent of other insiders backed up his report.
Regardless, the report proves that the Steelers have gone all-in on Aaron. No sense of panic, the reports of the meeting going very well, and the lack of remaining options for Aaron all point to Rodgers joining the Steelers.
But for now, the Steelers are still on his time. And Aaron is in no rush, even if the Steelers are.
