Aaron Rodgers was Steelers’ ‘third option’ at quarterback before pairing came together

The Steelers may have waited around for Aaron Rodgers to finally sign a contract, but that doesn’t mean he was their No. 1 choice. 

In fact, the ex-Jet quarterback was apparently Pittsburgh’s third choice for the position, ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently reported. 

The Steelers announced that Rodgers inked a one-year contract with the team after a lengthy waiting game, but the decision to bring in the four-time NFL MVP was out of necessity rather than choice. 

“This was the third option for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” Schefter said during Friday’s “NFL Live” while discussing the signing. “They were in on Matthew Stafford and couldn’t get done a trade. They tried to re-sign Justin Fields, he opted to go to the New York Jets, where he will meet Rodgers on opening day. And after they couldn’t get a trade done for Stafford and couldn’t get Fields re-signed, they pivoted to Rodgers.”

Aaron Rodgers reacts during the Jets’ game against the Colts in November 2024. Robert Sabo for the NY Post

The quarterback is coming off a season in which he threw 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, but it wasn’t enough to help the Jets reach the lofty goals that were placed upon the team at the beginning of the year — and they finished 5-12. 

The Jets opted to move on from Rodgers earlier this year during a meeting at the team’s facility, which the future Hall of Famer later went on to criticize in an appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show.” 

Rodgers was spotted at the Steelers’ facility over the weekend, entering the building a little after 8 a.m. on Saturday.

Aaron Rodgers arrived at the Steelers’ facility June 7. WTAE

Rodgers’ contract is worth $13.65 million and includes $10 million of guaranteed money, as well as incentives that could increase its worth up to $19.5 million. 

The 41-year-old will wear No. 8 during his stint with the Steelers, which will begin when Pittsburgh vists the Jets in Week 1.