Aaron Rodgers kind of hates phases 1 and 2 of the NFL offseason, literally and figuratively. Every year, like clockwork, the NFL’s offseason fires up in April, and every year, Rodgers is somewhere else entirely. And he’s never been shy about it. Phase 1? That’s just weight rooms and stretching bands. Phase 2? Helmets optional, competition non-existent. For Rodgers, it’s all a little too… meh. And this year is no exception as well.

Ever since he became a free agent for the first time in his career, the rumor mill has been buzzing that the four-time MVP quarterback will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And the last time we checked, the Steelers have already offered him a one-year deal. But did Rodgers put pen to paper? Absolutely not. But why?

See, the man’s out there, avoiding the early offseason programs for you know… to avoid public scrutiny. Translation? Well, see it this way: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk believes that “you’re less of a distraction if you’re just not signed than if you’re signed and you’re not showing up for the offseason workouts.” Plain and simple. But fast forward to now, and the 2025 offseason is in phase three with the Patriots having already started OTAs on May 19. The Steelers?

Pittsburgh will kick off its OTAs on May 27, and that means only one thing. Florio recently noted that Aaron Rodgers could be in Pittsburgh on May 27 when the Steelers will start OTAs. “Steelers only have six OTA days before the mandatory minicamp,” Florio said. “Teams can have up to 10. I think he (Rodgers) will be there next Tuesday, May 27, when the OTAs phase three begins. That’s nine practices before training camp. That’s enough time to get him properly in sconce.”

A few weeks ago, Rogers stopped by the Pat McAfee Show and admitted that he’s currently focusing on his personal life. So, that’s another reason why he’s delaying his decision to sign a projected one-year deal with Pittsburgh. However, Florio believes that there will be a press conference this week and the veteran quarterback will be with the team next Tuesday. “I think there’s going to be a press conference this week, and he’ll be there with the team next Tuesday,” Florio added.

The way things are shaping up, it seems like the Steelers are finally going to get rid of their quarterback conundrum, for this season, at least. But what lies ahead after the OTAs is the mandatory minicamp for the Steelers. And Rodgers’ history with those camps? Yeah, it’s surely something to talk about.

Will Aaron Rodgers participate in mandatory minicamps?

Aaron Rodgers’ brief stint with the New York Jets was full of drama, a season full of injury, and, of course, public scrutiny as well. And we aren’t just talking about his on-field performance in the past couple of seasons in New York. Nope. The four-time MVP quarterback was out there making his presence felt from the beginning of the off-season.

Remember when he ditched the Jets’ mandatory mini-camp last season? Yeah, the man chose a vacation to Egypt rather than participating in those camps. And right after that went down, the QB straight-up claimed that he wasn’t aware of the minicamps’ schedule. But Mike Florio knew what Rodgers was doing. He literally called it “political crap.” Fast forward to now, and all eyes are on this season. If A-Rod signs with Pittsburgh, will he participate in mandatory minicamp?

Well, the Steelers’ owner, Art Rooney II, is confident that Rodgers will sign with the Steelers. So, it’s safe to say that he will join the team on June 10, when the Steelers’ mandatory minicamp kicks off. “We keep getting positive sort of signals about it,” Rooney said last month. “So yeah, I’d say we feel pretty good about it at this point.”

To make it interesting and even more obvious, Ian O’Connor, the guy who just penned a recent biography on Rodgers, confirmed the fate of the Rodgers-Steelers saga. “If I had $100 to put down, my feeling is he will be in uniform June 10th for the start of the mandatory minicamp,” O’Connor said. So, all in all, Aaron Rodgers ditched the early phases of the offseason, no doubt.

But a one-year deal seems at the table on May 27. His participation in minicamp? Well, it’s pretty much certain the guy will be there, unlike last season. Of course, once the deal is done between both parties.