Former players critical of Steelers for Aaron Rodgers pursuit, handling of QB situation

While Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin clearly views Aaron Rodgers as an upgrade over discarded quarterbacks Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, Rodgers seemingly would rather spend his spring waiting to hear from the Minnesota Vikings than as a member of the Steelers. 

During the latest edition of NBC’s “Football Night in America” show featured on YouTube, former New England Patriots safety and current NFL analyst Rodney Harrison questioned Pittsburgh’s interest in Rodgers. 

“At times, he’s gonna give you some great moments in spot duty,” Harrison said about what Rodgers is at the age of 41, as shared by Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot. “But overall, I don’t trust him. I don’t trust that he’s gonna stay healthy. I don’t trust that it’s gonna be a good situation.”

Harrison’s point is fair considering Rodgers has dealt with numerous serious injuries over the past three seasons, including a torn Achilles that essentially cost him the entire 2023 campaign.

“He is old, man, and this league is not built for old guys. This league is built for young guys,” Harrison added about Rodgers. “…I have a lot of respect for Aaron and what he’s accomplished, but he’s not that dude anymore…There’s no way I would touch Aaron Rodgers. I wouldn’t even entertain it.”

Meanwhile, former NFL player and current analyst Emmanuel Acho suggested Tomlin’s handling of Pittsburgh’s quarterback room following the retirement of franchise legend Ben Roethlisberger in early 2022 has repeatedly left the club scrambling for answers. 

“The biggest thing we turn a blind eye to in all of sports is Mike Tomlin’s complete negligence of the quarterback situation,” Acho said during Friday’s episode of FS1’s “The Facility” program, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. “You would suggest that it’s malpractice, what he’s doing with the quarterback situation with the Steelers.”

That “malpractice” involves having longtime backup Mason Rudolph atop the depth chart as Rodgers remains unsigned. Even if Pittsburgh manages to draft Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders on the night of April 24, it would probably be best for everybody involved if Sanders spent his rookie season developing as a backup behind a proven starter such as Rodgers.