Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers both seem to want each other, but thus far have not come to terms on a deal.
Rodgers, 41, has been negotiating with the Steelers since yesterday according to reports. Right now, it is a two-team race for the four-time MVP, with the New York Giants also showing significant interest. Pittsburgh seems like the better fit, given they are ready to compete now and Rodgers likely only has a couple of seasons left, at most.
With conversations still ongoing, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Steelers have a contingency plan if they’re unable to work out an agreement with Rodgers. It’s a familiar one too: Russell Wilson, who started 11 games for Pittsburgh in 2024.
“It’s possible Russell Wilson could return to the Steelers if ongoing discussions with Aaron Rodgers fail to result in a financial agreement, per multiple sources,” Dulac tweeted Tuesday afternoon.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – DECEMBER 25: Russell Wilson #3 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium on December 25, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Given the Steelers’ familiarity with Wilson, it would make sense he’d be a fallback option if Rodgers doesn’t work out. It also stands to reason that Pittsburgh would leak this as a negotiating tactic.
Ironically, whichever one of Rodgers and Wilson doesn’t sign with the Steelers will probably sign with the Giants anyway. The fact this has been such a drawn out process is a clear indication of how far each signal caller has fallen over the last couple of years.
For what it’s worth, if former Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown is to be believed, Rodgers will be wearing black and gold. Brown tweeted earlier today that Pittsburgh was going to land the former Packers and Jets quarterback on a two-year contract.
At the very least, Brown probably jumped the gun by putting this out there, since a deal has not been reported or announced. It’s possible he comes out right all along though.