It started with a Honda and a hoodie. In April, a man quietly rolled up to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ facility in an unassuming car, hood drawn tight, sunglasses on. Only this wasn’t a rookie or a scout—it was Aaron Rodgers. The four-time MVP quarterback, fresh off another mysterious offseason, had arrived for an unofficial visit. For a franchise starved for elite quarterback play since Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement, it felt like the beginning of something bold. But fast forward a month, and that quiet visit is looking more like a ghosting.

Rodgers still hasn’t signed. And now? Mike Tomlin’s patience is starting to fray. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, who reported live on SportsCenter on May 23, the Steelers’ quarterback plan isn’t as locked in as it once appeared. “So Rodgers is plan A. Kirk Cousins could be a viable plan B. After making some calls today, I do believe he’s been on their radar. But right now, Rodgers is the guy,” Fowler said.

The urgency stems from the calendar. Mandatory minicamp begins June 10. Organized Team Activities (OTAs) are already underway. And with every passing day, the Steelers are stuck in quarterback limbo—planning around a player who hasn’t committed, while knowing full well that building chemistry in May and June could determine wins in December and January.

Steelers owner Art Rooney II said earlier this month the team would give Rodgers time and space. But Rodgers’ recent disclosure—that several people close to him are battling cancer—has added uncertainty to the equation. The team respects the situation, but the NFL moves fast, and Tomlin knows this might be his last best chance to contend.

Rodgers’ situation isn’t just about absence—it’s about optics. Every delay complicates things. If he signs late, there’s less time to build trust with teammates and adjust to Arthur Smith’s offense. If he suffers another injury like last year’s torn Achilles, the fallout could derail Pittsburgh’s entire season. Enter Kirk Cousins.

Fresh off a turbulent 2024 campaign where he led the league with 16 interceptions for the Atlanta Falcons, Cousins remains a serviceable option. He signed a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta in March, but rumors already suggest the Falcons may be open to parting ways—especially after handing over the reins to 2024 first-round pick, Michael Penix. Cousins’ situation presents a potential lifeline for Pittsburgh if Rodgers walks away.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport echoed this possibility on May 22, confirming that Pittsburgh has quietly considered Cousins if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t commit. The window is closing fast. Mike Tomlin is also under pressure. He only has Mason Rudolph. But a legend believes the young QB doesn’t have the talent.

Steelers legend sounds Aaron Rodgers alarm

Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger hasn’t stayed quiet either. On his Footbahlin podcast, the two-time Super Bowl champion issued a firm warning: If Pittsburgh enters 2025 with Mason Rudolph as the starter, “it’s a 7-10 season.” But if Rodgers is under center? “11-6, at least,” he predicted.

Roethlisberger’s warning isn’t rooted in ego. It’s experience. He’s the last quarterback to deliver a Lombardi Trophy to Pittsburgh—under Mike Tomlin in 2008. Since then, Tomlin has posted consistent winning seasons but only one playoff victory since 2016. The pressure is mounting. Even Tomlin knows that.

Roethlisberger also offered a logistical tip: learn from the past. He cited the Steelers’ infamous 2013 London loss to the Vikings—attributed in part to the team’s late arrival. The Steelers flew in only 3-4 days before the game, while the Vikings flew in a week prior. This year, they play the Vikings in Dublin, Ireland. Time, once again, may be the difference between dominance and disappointment.

Rodgers would be more than just a quarterback in Pittsburgh. He’d be a lifeline. The Steelers haven’t advanced past the Wild Card round since 2017. Their quarterback room—currently led by Mason Rudolph—is built more for damage control than fireworks.

But Tomlin isn’t known for tolerating distractions. If Rodgers delays too long, the Steelers won’t hesitate to pivot. Whether it’s Cousins or another option, the message is clear: the team won’t wait forever. As Jeremy Fowler put it: “It’ll all work itself out in two years.” But for Tomlin and Pittsburgh, it might have to work out in the next two weeks.