The handshake is real. The drama? Even more. So, personal issues and Aaron Rodgers—yeah, those two go together like twins at this point. The last time he missed football for “off-field matters,” he was in Egypt, posing near pyramids while his team held mandatory minicamp. The Jets fined him, sure, but he didn’t flinch. “It ain’t about the money,” Rodgers said recently on The Pat McAfee Show. Translation? If he’s stepping onto an NFL field again, it’ll be on his terms. And those terms might just lead him straight to Pittsburgh.

Now here’s where it gets juicy. While Rodgers has stayed cagey, dropping phrases like “attached to nothing” and “open to anything,” the Steelers are ready to do everything they can to lure him in. As ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler noted: “Keep in mind, the Steelers are in a position where they need to keep that receiver room as attractive as possible for [Aaron Rodgers].” If you have followed the news correctly in Pittsburgh, there were growing rumors of George Pickens’ farewell. But it has faded, all of a sudden. And Fowler believes it’s got something to do with AR.

Well, you can say coincidence, but that ‘hunch’ is just too perfectly matched with rumblings around the league, which suggest a handshake deal between Rodgers and Steelers is already in place. But not until after the 41-year-old’s personal issues are sorted. Per the report, “Rodgers is dealing with some personal issues, and after that will join the team.”

Yep, with the same Steelers who drafted Will Howard in the sixth round. The same Steelers whose current quarterback room doesn’t have winners (respectfully): Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and a rookie project. Enter: four-time MVP, football philosopher, and occasional offseason tourist… Aaron Rodgers.

But why Pittsburgh? Simple. They need him more than he needs them. The Vikings have J.J. McCarthy. The Giants hoarded quarterbacks like they were in a clearance bin: Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart. Everyone else is off the market or out of contention. The Steelers are the last team standing with a decent defense, a QB void, and a coach like Mike Tomlin who could actually coexist with Rodgers’… let’s call it layered personality.

What does this mean if Rodgers signs the dotted line? He’s the guy, no question. He’d start Week 1, run Arthur Smith’s offense like it was built for him, and likely mentor Will Howard as the heir apparent. Now, that lattermost is a non-negotiable for AR. Not that he’d mind it. Just remember that Jordan Love watched him for two years and now the Green Bay’s hopes rides on him. So, long story short: Rodgers-to-Steelers is not a pipe-dream anymore. It’s more like a slow-burning fire. The only question left is when he shows up, and if the pyramids are on this summer’s itinerary too.

But what about Kirk Cousins?

Pittsburgh’s QB wishlist has changed from flirtin’ with Aaron Rodgers to adding a wild Kirk Cousins into the list, and now, back to AR. And just like that, Kirk’s name started fading out of the group text. Why?

Well, for starters, the numbers! A 37-year-old Cousins tossed 18 touchdowns for 16 INTs, compared to a 40-year-old Rodgers throwing for 28 TDs to just 11 INTs. Bear in mind, both were coming off an Achilles season, the year before. Now, even if we move past this. The other catch is the fact that Kirk wasn’t going to leave Atlanta and come to Pittsburgh, facing the same drama.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Cousins wants no part of a repeat Atlanta saga. “It’s believed that Cousins would be against any trade that involves sending him to a situation involving a young QB, similar to one he faced in Atlanta last year.” Can you blame him? He signed a $180 million deal thinking he was the guy… then watched the Falcons draft Michael Penix Jr. and hand him the keys.

Now, Pittsburgh’s got Will Howard in the mix. Rookie out of Ohio State. Big frame, quick learner, already hitting up the QB coach post-draft for install sheets. That’s great news for the Steelers long-term. But it’s a red flag for Kirk. He’s not signing up to be a babysitter again. So, the Cousins-to-Steelers chance? It’s like 90% dead and buried. The only thing left is the funeral. Aaron Rodgers could do that, maybe.