Inside source has theory about why Aaron Rodgers hasn't signed with Steelers

Some assumed that the Pittsburgh Steelers' selection of Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon over Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft showed the club had a handshake agreement with Aaron Rodgers to join the team sooner rather than later. 

However, former NFL defensive lineman and Super Bowl champion Chris Canty and ESPN's "Unsportsmanlike" co-host and analyst Evan Cohen allegedly heard differently about Rodgers.

"[Canty] and I talked to somebody who is close to Rodgers," Cohen said during Friday's edition of "Unsportsmanlike," as Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot shared. "We got the feeling that it's almost as if [Rodgers] wants the Steelers to make a move so he doesn't have to say no to them. This person, who knows Rodgers well, feels like it's almost as if Rodgers would love them to trade for Kirk Cousins [or draft a quarterback on Friday] so that he doesn't have to say no to them."  

Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported on Thursday evening that Rodgers could announce he's signing with the Steelers "as soon as next week." According to Montgomery, Florio echoed that during Friday's episode of his "Pro Football Talk Live" show. 

During an appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" on April 17, Rodgers revealed he has been dealing with some issues in his "personal life" this offseason and was "trying to be open to everything and not specifically attached to anything" regarding his plans for the 2025 campaign. Presumably, the 41-year-old could retire if the Minnesota Vikings confirm between now and the end of June that 2024 first-round draft pick J.J. McCarthy will be their starting quarterback for Week 1 of 2025. 

As for Cousins, at least one current NFL general manager thinks the Atlanta Falcons trading the veteran is "gonna happen guaranteed" after Atlanta made 2024 rookie Michael Penix Jr. its starter this past December. Cousins has a full no-trade clause attached to his contract and reportedly wasn't keen on joining a team that grabbed a quarterback with a first-round selection on Thursday night. 

It remains to be seen if Pittsburgh drafting Harmon instead of Sanders has more to do with Cousins than with Rodgers.