Steelers insider says the team could be back at square one if Pittsburgh fails to meet the demands of Aaron Rodgers
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in yet another bidding war. Not even a day removed from losing Justin Fields to the New York Jets, the Steelers are entrenched in a battle with the other team on Long Island. And if Aaron Rodgers decides to take the New York Giants' offer over the Steelers one, Pittsburgh […]
The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves in yet another bidding war.
Not even a day removed from losing Justin Fields to the New York Jets, the Steelers are entrenched in a battle with the other team on Long Island.
And if Aaron Rodgers decides to take the New York Giants' offer over the Steelers one, Pittsburgh might run it back with the man who lost them five straight to close out the season…
Steelers not ruling out a Russell Wilson return
Russell Wilson wasn’t at the top of their list when they entered discussions with Rodgers and free agent Sam Darnold. However, with negotiations with Rodgers seemingly at an impasse and Darnold and Justin Fields having already agreed to deals with other teams Wilson could become more of a possibility to be re-signed.
– Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
This has a lot of Brandon Aiyuk vibes to it, though if the Steelers don't pony up the money here, the damage of not having a starting quarterback will greatly outweigh what problems they had in their receiving corps last season.
If the choice is truly down to Rodgers and Wilson, it seems like an easy one. With Wilson, we have seen how that song and dance goes. At least with Rodgers, there is a sense of optimism and hope that many inside and outside of the Steelers building won't have if Wilson returns.
And why at this point would Wilson even want to return? It's well documented that he and OC Arthur Smith don't have a great relationship, and he was option C at best for the Steelers behind Justin Fields and Aaron Ridgers.
Wilson has also been tied to the Tennessee Titans and there is an interest there from the New York Giants.
So this has a making of loser leaves town and puts on the G-men Blue.
Why? Because if it was all about money, Rodgers would have already signed in New York. He knows the best shot at keeping his legacy in tract, much less winning another Super Bowl is with a team that makes the playoffs on a perennial basis as opposed to one that drafts in the top five.
So both sides have leverage, to a degree. But as in any business negotiation, compromise is needed. And the last time the Steelers wouldn't compromise, it cost them a WR.
We'll see if they do it again, but when the stakes are much higher.
