Aaron Rodgers' former head coach predicts Packers legend's decision and timeline

Retirement or playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers? That is the question for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers revealed to Pat McAfee back in April that he was deciding between retiring and playing again in 2025. He did not mention the Steelers as his only option if he wants to play, but reports indicate they're the last team standing.

As we continue to wait for the decision, the overwhelming thought is that Rodgers will indeed choose the Steelers for this coming season.

Even his former head coach with the Green Bay Packers, Matt LaFleur, thinks that's going to happen, and predicts it'll occur "pretty shortly."

LaFleur also mentioned how much respect Rodgers has for his would-be head coach, Mike Tomlin.

"I'm anticipating that happening — so I won't be surprised," LaFleur said on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast. "I just can't see him not playing the game of football this year — and that obviously makes the most sense.

"I know that in our discussions over the years, he's a guy that has had as much respect for anybody as he does for a guy like Mike Tomlin," he added. "I could certainly see that coming to fruition here pretty shortly."

Rodgers said during his appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" last month that he had some personal issues to work through before deciding what he's going to do. It remains unclear exactly what those issues are.

"I wasn't stringing anyone along. I wasn't holding anyone hostage," Rodgers said. "I was honest from the jump about where I was at mentally and some of the constraints I have in my life right now that warrant my attention.

"I'm open to anything and attached to nothing," Rodgers added. "Retirement could still be a possibility, but right now my focus has been -- and will continue to be -- on my personal life. And that's what I've told the coaches. There's still conversations that are being had."

As far as a timeline is concerned, some have suggested he'll sign and join the team before mandatory minicamp, while others believe he could take this all the way to training camp.

But we've seen timeline theories floated out there before, and all of them have been wrong. So, it's really anyone's guess when Rodgers, who most certainly marches to the beat of his own drum, will actually sign on the dotted line.

The Steelers are all-in on Rodgers at this point, so they have no choice but to wait.

Quarterback options on the open market have dwindled and now the Steelers are left with Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard on the roster, none of whom are starting-caliber players.

If Rodgers opts to retire, or even play somewhere else, it would be a colossal issue for the Steelers, who are looking to compete in 2025.

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