The second week of June introduced the soccer world their first have a look at Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steeler.
It is a partnership that was finalized when he signed a one-year, $13.6 million contract on Saturday. But in addition one which has been months within the making.
For Rodgers, it was the plain transfer.
“A giant attraction was Mike Tomlin,” Rodgers advised reporters on Tuesday following his first necessary minicamp follow with the Steelers. “I’ve gone towards him through the years. The way in which that the conversations went between him and I, every time it was in March or April and the final Sunday after I known as him was a few of the coolest conversations I had within the recreation. So, he is a giant purpose of why I am right here and I am excited to play for him.”
Tomlin was equally complimentary of Rodgers, a 20-year NFL veteran with a spot all however reserved for him within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
“Learn his resume. We’re enthusiastic about him being right here,” Tomlin stated of Rodgers on Tuesday. “He is enthusiastic about being right here. However we’ll make no daring predictions. We will roll our sleeves up and go to work, and let our efforts do the speaking.”
Rodgers had the Steelers wait lengthy — many would say excessively so — earlier than signing with the crew, inflicting some concern he could be delayed as they put together for the 2025 season. Rodgers defined Tuesday he “was coping with lots in” his “private life” and now feels he can “be totally all-in with the blokes.”
Tomlin is aware of a participant with expertise higher than even his head teaching tenure in Pittsburgh is not going to endure from lacking follow in Could and June. As Tomlin stated Tuesday, “June reps are a heck of much more essential for a man like (2025 sixth-round decide) Will Howard at this stage in his profession than a man who’s been doing it for 20 years.”
Plus, Rodgers’ signing nonetheless afforded him time to hitch his new teammates — together with receiver DK Metcalf, with whom Rodgers labored out earlier this offseason — throughout necessary minicamp.
“We received to get collectively out west. I’ve gone towards him numerous instances,” Rodgers stated of Metcalf. “He is large, athletic, quick, nice fingers, ball abilities however the factor that actually excites me essentially the most is his character. I feel he is a excessive character man. I used to be teasing him in one of many first conversations we had, he stated, ‘sure sir’ 10 instances and I stated, ‘Is that as a result of I am 41?’ and he stated, ‘no, that is how I discuss.’ I identical to his complete character and method and the best way he’s on the sphere.”
Rodgers, who additionally revealed Tuesday that he received married this offseason, is worked up for his subsequent chapter with the Steelers due to how he took to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Tomlin’s present popularity as a premier coach. Having Metcalf on the roster would not harm, both, nor does the status of the Steelers group, over which the quarterback gushed Tuesday, calling them one in all “a number of iconic franchises within the NFL” and including “there’s one thing particular about this space.”
However after enduring two difficult seasons with the Jets — together with one which ended after 4 snaps resulting from an Achilles tear — it is honest to surprise why, at 41 years previous, Rodgers continues to be considering taking part in.
“I do not want it. For my ego, I do not want it to maintain taking part in,” Rodgers defined. “A number of choices that I’ve remodeled my profession and life from strictly the ego — even when they prove nicely — are all the time unfulfilling. However the choices constructed from the soul are often fairly fulfilling. So this was a choice that was greatest for my soul. I felt like being right here with Coach T. and the blokes they received right here and the chance right here was greatest for me. I am excited to be right here.”
Rodgers leads a bunch of quarterbacks which wanted an apparent starter. Sure, skilled veteran Mason Rudolph is again on the town, however behind him are underwhelming backup Skylar Thompson and a rookie in Howard. With out Rodgers, the Steelers would have entered 2025 with a obtrusive concern below heart.
As Tomlin is aware of, his crew is just as robust as his quarterbacks room. He is discovered in regards to the significance of quarterback depth as a result of he is been compelled to check it lately. Whether or not it was the cycle of quarterbacks within the last years of Ben Roethlisberger’s profession or the revolving door that accompanied Kenny Pickett‘s tenure, and even final season’s swap from Justin Fields to Russell Wilson, Tomlin has come to know he may not have the posh of beginning one quarterback in each recreation.
It is why the Steelers introduced again Rudolph, added Thompson and drafted Howard. Their objective is to construct the strongest quarterbacks room doable behind Rodgers.
Now, they’ve a headliner atop the depth chart in Rodgers. They will hope he lands above the fold for all the fitting causes whereas sporting black and gold in 2025.
