Rodgers’ biographer, Ian O’Connor, lately appeared on 93.7 The Fan’s “The PM Workforce” and predicted the 41-year-old would put pen to paper by the top of Could (h/t Mike Florio of Professional Soccer Speak). Though he declined to reveal the non-public points that Rodgers himself has cited for his delay in signing with a membership, O’Connor doesn’t consider these points – which pertain to a member of Rodgers’ interior circle – would preclude him from enjoying soccer.
“I simply suppose verbally, behind the scenes, not that he assured it, however he’s informed [the Steelers], ‘Hear, I’m gonna play for you. I simply don’t need to go there after which miss a part of necessary minicamp due to my private points. I’m fairly positive they’re gonna be solved by the top of Could, not less than in my satisfaction the place I may give you my all,’” O’Connor mentioned (by way of Ross McCorkle of SteelersDepot.com).
Florio beforehand expressed his perception, supported by a supply who is aware of Rodgers however who has no particular information of the present state of affairs, that the eccentric signal-caller could have needed to keep away from being a distraction by signing a contract with the Steelers however remaining away from the staff for the early levels of the membership’s offseason program as he types out his private matter. In fact, given Rodgers’ standing and the protection that continuously surrounds him, the truth that he has not signed a contract in any respect is its personal type of distraction. Nonetheless, it’s honest to conclude that formally becoming a member of Pittsburgh and never reporting throughout the first phases of the offseason – which Rodgers has brazenly opposed anyway – would have invited much more scrutiny.
Florio believes O’Connor was referring to the offseason program generally and never necessary minicamp particularly, as necessary minicamp doesn’t happen till June 10. Florio additionally believes there’s a good likelihood Rodgers may have signed with Pittsburgh by subsequent week, as OTAs get underway on Could 27.
Outdoors of the quarterback place, the Steelers have a playoff-worthy roster and didn’t choose a signal-caller on this yr’s draft till they added Ohio State’s Will Howard within the sixth spherical. As such, the runway may be very a lot clear for Rodgers to return aboard and supplant Mason Rudolph as Pittsburgh’s QB1.
O’Connor, who interviewed 250 individuals for his ebook “Out of the Darkness: The Thriller of Aaron Rodgers,” believes Pittsburgh is the “excellent place” for Rodgers to complete his enjoying profession.
“It might be me as an optimist, however I believe that is gonna work out,” O’Connor mentioned. “Do I believe the Steelers will win the Tremendous Bowl subsequent yr? No. However for those who informed me 11-6 with not less than one playoff victory…I believe that’s sensible.”
