With every week, the questions will increase. Training camps are for approx. two months away and although it leaves behind enough time for Rodgers to participate in Steelers, there is a lack of decision to hang Pittsburgh. It will not take long for the questions about Rodgers to become irritable, the precursor to the next step in the plot: Disorders. However, it has not happened yet.
“I will be asked a lot about my peers and some friends who are fans and stuff,” Highsmith said when asked how often he was asked about Rodgers and if it was a disturbance. “I just feel like in the locker room, we’re working there and I think it’s just what it’s all about at this point. I know if he signs, we’re definitely going to be really excited to have him. We know who he is.
“I wouldn’t say at all that it is a disturbance, but we all know what kind of team manager he is and what he moves to the table.”
Rodgers has built a reputation for respecting timelines outside the season for his own interests. He left Packers mandatory Minicamp in 2021 and waited until the run -up training camp began before he agreed to return to the team. Two years later, he said his plans to participate in Jets (through business) in the spring and was discussed to New York in late April 2023.
However, this situation is different. Rodgers is not a contract anywhere and has not provided any clarity regarding his plans to play in 2025. Pittsburgh has at the same time remained incredibly patient and refused to press pressure on Rodgers while waiting for his decision. Steelers have also given themselves some safety net by bringing Rudolph – the planned starting team if Rodgers does not sign with Pittsburgh – back in the board.
If Rodgers never sign, Steelers will be forced to continue with Rudolph, a copy of the career that led Steelers from the brink of elimination to the finals in 2023.
Unfortunately for them, they are all except powerless now. And Rodgers is not the only prominent player with uncertainty until 2025.
All World Edge Rusher TJ Watt sent Steelers fans in panic when he released a picture of himself that flashed peace signal for social media in early April, which follows the playbook of those looking for new contracts. Watt is entering the final year in its current contract and is in line with making 21 million dollars in basic wages, a number that seems less after the guy of Elite Edge rush Myles Garrett and Maxx Crosby, each signed lucrative offers.
As a running company Watt, Highsmith declared the confidence of Watt did not consider leaving Steelers. He knows it is a matter of money and believes that Pittsburgh will submit a proper deal with Watt before things go into uncertain water.
“I am confident that he does not go anywhere,” Highsmith said. “It was a great picture of the game, I’m not going to lie. But I know he loves to be here, he loves to be in Pittsburgh and the city of Pittsburgh loves him and then I know they are going to do whatever they can to make a deal. And hopefully he wants to be in this building.”
Pittsburgh has been relatively active this season and swung contract for DK Metcalf’s recipient before sending George Pickens to Dallas in special business. Steeler’s final roster still contains Rodgers, but they do not know for sure until Rodgers commits.
At present it seems that he is not ready for it. The wait is drawn.