Did Aaron Rodgers impact Steelers not selecting QB in first round of 2025 NFL Draft?

In his predraft news conference, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin insisted that uncertainty about the future of quarterback Aaron Rodgers would not impact how the club would handle the 21st overall pick of the 2025 player-selection process. 

The Steelers then surprised some when they chose Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon at No. 21 when signal-callers such as Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart and Alabama's Jalen Milroe were all on the board. 

After that pick was made, NFL insider Josina Anderson reported that the Steelers "communicated with Aaron Rodgers at the beginning of the week that they would like to receive an answer from him before the draft (at least 48 hours)." Anderson added that the Steelers "know the outcome of that conversation." 

Shortly before the Tennessee Titans made Miami quarterback Cam Ward the draft's first selection, Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio mentioned that "some think Rodgers will indeed sign with the Steelers, and that his announcement could come as soon as next week." Per Josh Carney of Steelers Depot, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport suggested during an on-air report shared on Thursday night that some within the Steelers wanted Sanders over Harmon.

"My understanding is as of [Wednesday]," Rapoport said about the Steelers possibly drafting Sanders, "they were going back and forth. Is the value worth that split in the room?"

It's worth noting that Rodgers remained unsigned as of Friday morning and, thus, could change his mind and retire if he has told the Steelers he wants to play for them later this year. After all, he was "90 percent retired and 10 percent playing" before he decided in the spring of 2023 that he wanted to be traded from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets. 

Pittsburgh not selecting a quarterback at No. 21 could ultimately allow the club to acquire wantaway Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins before this weekend ends if the Steelers have moved on from Rodgers. 

At least one current NFL general manager thinks it's "guaranteed" that the Falcons will trade Cousins now that they're all in on starting 2024 first-round draft pick Michael Penix Jr. this coming fall. Cousins has a full no-trade clause attached to his contract and reportedly wasn't keen on joining a team that spent a 2025 first-round choice on a quarterback (Titans, New York Giants).