Ben Roethlisberger Repulsed With $20M Aaron Rodgers Replacement as Mike Tomlin & Steelers Set Deadline

The OTAs are here, and Aaron Rodgers is not. The question mark on the celebrated QB’s future in the NFL is only growing bigger as the days are passing. Yet, we have no clue what the thoughts inside the former New York Jets’ QB are. Since the off season began, Rodgers has kept Mike Tomlin and the Steelers on his speed dial. But when you ask him if he’s moving to Pittsburgh? “You never know.” Despite a “Productive meeting” with Tomlin previously, Rodgers has seemingly made them wait far too long. So now, even though they are ready “to wait a little longer,” for their plan A, they have understood there are more alphabets, and they should probably use them.

So, what’s the plan B? If Rodgers doesn’t sign with the Steelers or opts to retire for good, the team would have two choices. First, go with the QBs already present in the locker room. At present, Tomlin doesn’t have a starting QB circled out. But if his hands are pushed, he would go with their returning star, Mason Rudolph, for the primary signal calling duties, waiting to show how he can still produce a 2023 performance for Pittsburgh. Then there’s Skyler Thompson and the rookie Will Howard taking notes. Or… Go for a plan C, which is seemingly getting a higher priority as we move closer to the mandatory minicamp in June.

In an interesting turn of events, Atlanta chose to go over their veteran QB’s head and make Michael Penix Jr. their primary caller. This means, they basically showed the door to Kirk Cousins. And the QB has also made it clear that he wants to be with, “A team is willing to step up and commit to me fully for the long haul, then why would I want to be anywhere else?” Cousins will certainly bring some of the features that Aaron Rodgers, who has already said, “If you need to move on, by all means.” Now Aaron, asking for just $10M a year would be, “Probably the best of a lot of cheap options in terms of his mastery of the game combined with the ability to still do some of what he used to physically,” as the Post-Gazette’s Brian Batko mentioned. On the other hand, Atlanta’s offer isn’t this low. And that’s turning out to be an issue for many, including former Pitts QB Ben Roethlisberger.

On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben made his stance clear on the whole Kirk Cousins deal. He was asked about the possibility of Kirk Cousins in Steel City, and his response? “The problem is I think Atlanta said there someone else had to take the $20 million – I can’t see that happen.” The problem, according to Big Ben, is the money any team that wants to sign has to pay to get him. As Adam Schefter had reported that the Falcons have “asked for any acquiring team to pay $20 million of the $45 million worth of guarantees left on Cousins’ contract.” And Roethlisberger doesn’t see the front office willing to write that big a check.

They asked Big Ben again, “So, do you like the idea of Kirk Cousins here?” But he doubled down with, “I would have earlier. Not now. At this point… You know, now you just want someone here that’s going to get reps and start practicing.” So, as far as the former QB is concerned, Kirk Cousins is out of the picture. Interestingly though, he did point out that Mason, the assumed QB1 as of now, “is ready to go.”

But back before the drafts, Adam Schefter had also noted, “There is a feeling around the league that a team, whether it is the Vikings or Steelers, might be willing to pay down roughly $10 million.” Interestingly enough, $10 million is the number Aaron Rodgers has said he’ll take if he plays this season. Doubling down on that face, Vikings clearly gave a quick ‘No’ to Rodgers when he wanted to be in Minnesota before Steelers was the only option left for the 41-year-old. And that brings us back full circle to the patient Mike Tomlin, and the elusive A-Rod. When is he joining, if at all? There’s a new deadline now.

The end date for Aaron Rodgers in Steel City

It’s been months since Aaron Rodgers showed up at the Steelers’ facility. It’s been weeks since HC Mike Tomlin said he’s been having ’productive talks’ with Rodgers. Rodgers himself dropped a sly hint about his future just a few days ago. But that does nothing to a city waiting on a guaranteed signal caller since Big Ben hung up his cleats. But the Tomlin-Rodgers chess match continues. And now, it looks like A-Rod has even more time to show up.

Top Comment by john a jenks

Rodgers is OTH and too «it’s all about me» to play for the Steelers. Just forget about him. ...more

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As per a tweet by Andrew Fillipponi, the waiting game could continue till the very last second possible. Fillipponi wrote, “Adam Schefter on Aaron Rodgers: ‘I would say the Steelers are willing to wait until September 7th.’ That’s the date of the Steelers Week 1 game vs. NYJ.” The Steelers aren’t cutting bait, they are sure Aaron Rodgers will show up. But if the decision does stretch to September, is that good news for the Steelers? The QB will definitely need time to sync with the team before he can make effective TD passes. And the longer the wait continues, the less time he gets to work with his potential teammates. Big Ben’s words on how the Pitts now need someone to suit up and put the work in might again hint at this same thought.

If you look at the Jets, QB Justin Fields is gearing up to face off against his old team. If A-Rod joins the Steelers, he, too, will get to face off against the team that refused to give him a chance. With all things considered, if it’s really September when A-Rod shows up, we have to ask one question. Fields’ practice vs. Rodgers’ veteran experience. Which one will have the edge in Week 1?