A few weeks ago, it felt like Aaron Rodgers’ return to the Pittsburgh Steelers was simply a matter of time.
This past week, though, multiple reports suggested otherwise. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Rodgers’ decision could take months. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala said she was told that the chances for a Rodgers return were “minuscule.”
In this week’s “Madden Monday” podcast, Mark Madden of TribLive and 105.9 the X is starting to lean toward the notion of an extended decision-making process.
Why?
Because the Steelers will let Rodgers get away with it, that’s why.
“They’re going to feel that they can wait because they’re in love with his name. Not the Aaron Rodgers of now, but just having Aaron Rodgers,” Madden said. “Their plan B is either (Will) Howard or (Mason) Rudolph. Or, more likely, just going on and getting a Kirk Cousins or — because he wants to come out of retirement — Derek Carr. You don’t have to do that right away. Nobody’s beating down a path to the doors of those guys. You can get them anytime you want. So they’re going to feel they can wait.”
Madden would prefer the option of signing Green Bay free agent quarterback Malik Willis.
“I would sign him instead of Rodgers,” Madden said. “If I had a chance to get either one. I would prefer Willis. Then I’d draft another guy this year. Between Willis and the draftee, you figure the quarterback whisperer, Mike McCarthy, could work it out with one of them.”
However, Madden is dubious that the Steelers will get that creative.
“They so badly want Rodgers, they will wait as long as it takes for that. And reading the tea leaves, I think it’s going to take longer,” Madden insisted. “Not because of anything he said, because he’s not spoken or anything’s been leaked. His camp doesn’t have leaks, mainly because he’s such a loner, weirdo. I don’t think he has a camp, but I think they’re gonna wait as long as it takes.”
Madden is completely confident in one thing.
“To be honest, whatever decision they make will turn out to be the wrong one, because I just do not trust their decision-making,” Madden concluded.
Also during the podcast, Madden and I discuss Team USA’s gold medal win over Canada, the impact of Sidney Crosby’s injury for the Penguins, the 3-on-3 overtime format, women’s hockey and more.
