The Pittsburgh Steelers' handling of quarterback Aaron Rodgers has raised eyebrows, with NFL insider Andrew Fillipponi suggesting that the team doesn’t actually want the 4x NFL MVP to return for the 2026 season.
Instead, Fillipponi believes the Steelers are employing a tactic similar to the one they used with Ben Roethlisberger during his final years with the team.
According to Fillipponi, the Steelers are using a subtle approach to move on from Rodgers, following the same strategy that led to Big Ben’s retirement.
The team recently placed a UFA tender on Rodgers, essentially protecting their right to receive a draft pick if he decides to leave. This move, Fillipponi argues, is designed to “poke the bear” and push Rodgers to leave on his own terms.
In a tweet, Fillipponi stated: “Theory: The Steelers don’t want Aaron Rodgers back. But they want Rodgers to break up with them... They tried the same stunt with Big Ben.”
The comparison between Rodgers’ situation and Roethlisberger’s departure is striking. In 2021, the Steelers asked Big Ben to take a pay cut of $5 million before ultimately retiring in 2022.
This strategy, Fillipponi argues, is the same one the Steelers are now using with Rodgers, with the ultimate goal of nudging him toward retirement or departure without directly releasing him.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Rodgers was given an ultimatum, with a decision expected by May 18. While the team’s stance has led to speculation, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin still believes Rodgers will return, stating that there’s a chance for him to rejoin the team in the future.
However, Fillipponi’s theory casts doubt on that possibility. He suggests that the Steelers are trying to create a scenario where Rodgers feels compelled to walk away on his own, avoiding the awkwardness of a direct release or termination of his contract.
This strategy, according to Fillipponi, has been a calculated method used by the Steelers to manage aging stars like Rodgers without facing the backlash that often comes with cutting ties directly.
As the situation continues to unfold, it’s clear that the Steelers are handling their quarterback dilemma with a combination of indirect pressure and strategic maneuvering.
Whether Rodgers will ultimately choose to leave on his own or return to Pittsburgh remains to be seen, but for now, the Steelers are seemingly betting on him making the final decision.
