Mike Tomlin spent six hours with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh back in March. They talked ball. They talked life. So, obviously, the media had some questions afterward about whether AR’s coming to Steel City. But Tomlin delivered one of his classic zingers: “There’s no substitute for intimacy.” Now, this isn’t a typical quarterback hunt. It’s become a long, winding saga—and the Steelers locker room is officially over it.

According to ESPN’s Brooke Pryor, the entire locker room is riding with Mason Rudolph. Not Aaron. Not Kirk Cousins. Or not some mystery arm in the wind. Rudolph. “From talking to people in the locker room, they want it to be Mason,” Pryor said. “They feel like they can rally around Mason.” That’s not exactly the vibe Tomlin’s giving off. While the players are buying stock in the guy who finished strong in 2024, Tomlin keeps spinning the wheel between two fading stars—Rodgers and Cousins—and hoping one lands in Pittsburgh.

But the front office isn’t helping matters. GM Omar Khan told reporters last month the team will roll into camp with four quarterbacks. That includes Rudolph, Skylar Thompson, and rookie Will Howard, who’s a sixth-round flyer at best. Translation: Pittsburgh has bodies, not answers. And instead of taking a swing on Shedeur Sanders in the draft, they doubled down on trench warfare. “There’s a commitment here to re-establish physicality,” Tomlin said after grabbing Derrick Harmon in the first round. Cool. But someone still has to throw the football.

And that brings us back to the veteran tug-of-war. Just for context, here’s how their 2024 seasons stack up:

Rodgers had the better year statistically, but Cousins played behind a shaky Falcons O-line and was forced into hero-ball more often than not. Both guys can manage a game. Neither is dragging a team to the Super Bowl anymore. And that’s the rub. Mike Tomlin’s options are either a tired legend or a turnover-prone vet.

But there’s another problem? Neither of Tomlin’s top options are giving clear signals. Rodgers is dragging out the decision. Ian Rapoport said Pittsburgh is the only realistic landing spot left for Cousins, but nothing’s close. Meanwhile, Rodgers’ silence is getting louder. “I’m hearing he might not want to play,” Adam Schefter said. “Either you want to play for the Steelers or you don’t. What are we waiting for?” It’s a fair question. You don’t fly in for six hours unless you’re at least curious, right?

Mike Tomlin insists he’s not sweating any of this. “I’m really comfortable with being unsettled at this time of year,” he told reporters. It’s about talent acquisition, not panic. It’s a process. He’s been through this rodeo before. But even if he’s cool with the chaos, his players clearly aren’t. They’ve seen what Rudolph brings to the table. They believe in it. And right now, the guy wearing the headset is the only one not on board. Well, he and his boss.

Mike Tomlin’s not the only one still praying on Aaron Rodgers

At this point, we all are sitting at the edge of our metaphorical couch cushions, waiting for Aaron Rodgers to make his next move. And apparently, the Pittsburgh Steelers are right there with us. Steelers owner Art Rooney II isn’t exactly being cryptic either. In a radio chat, he put it plain and simple: “He does want to come here.”

Let’s be real—this saga’s had more plot twists than a prime-time soap opera. But here’s what’s solid: Pro Football Talk’s sources say it could be official as soon as next week. The Steelers are hopeful. Rodgers? Sounds like he’s done with waiting for the perfect call from the booth.

After all, this whole Jets split ended about as smooth as a wet football. New HC Aaron Glenn brought Rodgers cross-country… just to cut him. Face-to-face. In 20 seconds. “That was kind of strange,” Rodgers said, probably understating it. You don’t fly 3,000 miles to get fired in person.

And yet, here comes Pittsburgh. Waiting. Listening. Open arms but calculated moves. Rodgers already admitted he spoke with the Giants and Vikings. But it’s the Steelers who are still in the running. Rooney didn’t slam the door on drafting a quarterback, but he made it clear—if they take one, it’s a stash-and-develop project. Not someone meant to lead the huddle in September.

Steelers insider Mark Kaboly doubled down too. Asked when Rodgers is “coming home,” he quipped May 22. That’s just ahead of OTAs on May 27. Convenient? Coincidence? Or just Rodgers’ perfect timing? Either way, the black and gold are on hold, hoping QB1 walks through that door.