The Steelers’ UFA tender gives them the right to match any offer sheet Rodgers has signed elsewhere, gives the Steelers potential compensation in the form of a late third-round pick, and also gives them the exclusive right to sign Rodgers on either July 22 or the first scheduled day of practice. As Rooney said, the move was made for insurance, not necessarily to put pressure on Rodgers as they continue to wait for a decision from the 42-year-old full-back.
Another way Pittsburgh helped their defense was by selecting Drew Allar in the third round of the draft last weekend, which was previously the team’s goal to hear from Rodgers.
Rodgers bypassed the Steelers’ proposed deadline — which Rodgers himself said in March didn’t exist — and continues to keep Pittsburgh waiting while he ponders his future. He’s widely expected to return to the Steelers eventually if he doesn’t decide to retire altogether, but he’s certainly in no rush
That doesn’t seem to bother Rooney or the Steelers.
“He’s kept us informed of his plans,” Rooney said. “Even though I thought it was probably over by now, I think we’ll come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”
We’ll see if this prediction comes true for the Steelers, unlike Rooney’s previous prediction.