NFL insider Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports recently highlighted a key factor contributing to Aaron Rodgers“s lack of a formal re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Epstein suggested that general manager Omar Khan and others in the organization may be considering Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals or Malik Willis of the Green Bay Packers as possible upgrades over the 42-year-old quarterback.
On the latest episode of “Kaboly + Mack,” Steelers reporter Mark Kaboly from “The Pat McAfee Show” discussed the ongoing Rodgers situation, which appears poised to extend into March. Kaboly speculated whether Rodgers is waiting to see how the Steelers will enhance their roster before making a commitment. “Is he waiting to see what”s happening in free agency, or free agency and/or acquiring a wide receiver of note?” Kaboly stated, as reported by Jeremy Pike of Steelers Depot. “Maybe he”s like, “Okay, I”m interested. Let”s see what you can add for me first. You going to bring back ? You going to get me a stud No. 2 receiver?””
Interestingly, Kaboly”s comments coincided with rumors linking the Steelers to Brian Thomas Jr., a wide receiver from the Jacksonville Jaguars, who has been mentioned in trade discussions as the NFL scouting combine approaches.
Additionally, throughout the winter, various football analysts have suggested that Rodgers could choose to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, who boast standout receiver Justin Jefferson as their primary target.
Concerns about the Steelers” confidence in Will Howard surfaced following Khan”s remarks at the combine, where he stated that he wouldn”t consider Rodgers retiring this winter or spring as “the worst-case scenario,” partly due to Howard being on the roster as a sixth-round pick in 2025. During a Thursday segment on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, NFL insider Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk addressed the skepticism surrounding the Steelers” purported faith in Howard. “I know people around the league who have been skeptical of this claim that they really want Will Howard, and that (recently hired head coach) Mike McCarthy really likes Will Howard,” Florio explained, according to Jake Brockhoff of Steelers Depot. “That would be a hell of a coincidence if it just so happened that Mike McCarthy gets a job that has a quarterback that he secretly loves, who was a sixth-round pick, who he thinks is gonna develop into the next Dak Prescott. And again, there”s always gonna be the potential for an element of BS in this game.”
Howard, who entered the league as a developmental project, did not see any significant action during his rookie season. Thus, it is reasonable for Khan and McCarthy to prefer that Howard spend another year honing his skills while Rodgers takes the helm as the starting quarterback.
