Mike Tomlin makes definitive statement about Aaron Rodgers' future with Steelers originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
For the first time since he resigned, former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has spoken publicly. And, in the process, he made a definitive statement on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' future with the Steelers.
Tomlin did a guest spot on NBC on Sunday night. The former Steelers coach has taken a gig with the network and will be a studio analyst for games in 2026.
When asked about Rodgers, who the Steelers are still waiting on, Tomlin said he thinks the future Hall of Famer will return to Pittsburgh for another year.
"I just think, Aaron, I just think being around him for the 12 months that I'm around him, he's got a love affair with the game of football and not only the game, but the process, the informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates," Tomlin said. "I think he has an addiction to that, and there's only one way to feed it. And certainly, he is still capable and in really good shape. And so I think at the end of the day, he'll play football."
While there has been speculation that Rodgers is holding out for more money, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that is not the case.
Instead, Rodgers is simply not ready to make a decision yet.
"I was told money isn't the issue here and the contract isn't the hold up," Schefter said on The Pat McAfee Show. "When he feels like he's ready to give an answer, he will."
As the Steelers wait for Rodgers, they have now made a new addition to their quarterbacks room.
Pittsburgh decided to draft Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with a third-round pick in the NFL Draft, which no doubt makes things more interesting, and for multiple reasons.
Not only does Allar give the Steelers another potential long-term option along with Will Howard, but Pittsburgh now has a much more crowded quarterbacks room that could mean Mason Rudolph isn't safe if Rodgers comes back.
If Rodgers doesn't return, it'll be a wide-open competition between Rudolph, Allar and Howard, which would add some excitement to Pittsburgh's offseason.