It’s well known that Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin has a good relationship with Fox NFL analyst Jay Glazer.
So, if you were dismissing the idea of the Steelers perhaps entering the 2022 Aaron Rodgers trade sweepstakes, maybe this will change your mind.
In a recent Twitter post full of responses to viewer questions, Glazer was asked if the Steelers were getting the Packers quarterback before next season.
Another edition of #AskGlazer
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) October 11, 2021
How long will #RussellWilson really be out? Will #AaronRodgers go to Pittsburgh? Is #MatthewStafford a top 5 QB?
And will you see me back with Spencer Strasmore and the @BallersHBO team anytime soon? @nflonfox
pic.twitter.com/IMxcWilxRh
“Ben Roethlisberger — (when) it’s time for him to move on — Mike Tomlin has told me he doesn’t want to start over with a rookie,” Glazer said. “The Steelers are going to want to go with somebody who is a veteran … The Pittsburgh Steelers, they are going to need a veteran quarterback, obviously, (considering acquiring Rodgers) makes sense.”
As Glazer reminded viewers, Rodgers isn’t a free agent. But he may try to push his way out of Green Bay via trade. Perhaps to a specific team that may be willing to work out a long-term deal to extend his contract and spread out the $46 million he is slated to make next year.
Glazer added in a different response that it’s a “less than 50% chance” that Rodgers elects to stay in Green Bay. That would, no doubt, require a restructured deal so that the Packers don’t have to absorb that massive hit.
The increasing speculation about a potential connection between the Steelers and Rodgers next year has been augmented by Rodgers’ frequent verbal bouquets toward Tomlin and the city of Pittsburgh during recent episodes of “The Pat McAfee Show.”
Plus, there was that playful interaction between Rodgers and Tomlin on the field during Green Bay’s win over the Steelers two weeks ago that added some fuel to the speculation.
Another question was posed to Glazer about any interest the Steelers may have in trading for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Glazer quoted Tomlin as saying, “No. We’re not the kind of team to do something during the season. That’s just not us.”
To be clear, Glazer’s account of Tomlin’s response wasn’t “we’re not interested.” It was “we won’t trade for him in season.”
So, what about in March?
Hmm. And by the way, Tomlin’s team did swing a big trade for Minkah Fitzpatrick during the season a few years ago. Tomlin seemed to cosign on that idea.
Whatever the stated explanation, I don’t see the Steelers going after Watson this year or during the offseason. Given the baggage associated with Watson and the 22 civil lawsuits he is facing for sexual misconduct/harassment/assault, that would be quite a public relations risk. Not to mention what it would cost in players and draft picks to pry him away from Houston.
Green Bay will have lofty demands for Rodgers, too. But I see that as much more of a possibility. And I’ll buy Glazer’s report that Tomlin at least expressed words to that effect about wanting to avoid a reboot with a rookie quarterback.
Especially any quarterback from what appears to be a very thin class in this year’s draft.
The notion of the Steelers taking a swing on Rodgers makes all the sense in the world from their perspective — if they are willing to part with the draft picks. They’ll work out the salary cap implications. They always do when they want someone bad enough. They just gave T.J. Watt $80 million, and they’ll likely break the bank for Minkah Fitzpatrick this offseason, too.
Rodgers going to Pittsburgh makes all the sense in the world from his standpoint as well — if he doesn’t mind playing behind a rebuilding offensive line.
Whatever the case, the idea of Rodgers coming to Pittsburgh should be considered more than just folly and fantasy. If Glazer’s report is accurate — and I think it is — Tomlin sure doesn’t seem like he’d need much convincing.
