Insider repeats Aaron Rodgers, Steelers theory after trade of George Pickens to Cowboys

Shortly after the Pittsburgh Steelers agreed to trade wide receiver George Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys, stories linked the Steelers with New York Jets receiver Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs of the Green Bay Packers.

Such rumors were hardly shocking considering both players have experience sharing an offense with free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

During a Thursday evening appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan, Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggested the club could soon trade for one of Rodgers' former targets. 

"Don't be surprised if the Steelers try to go get somebody who has a history with Aaron Rodgers," Fittipaldo explained, per Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot. "And I wouldn't expect that before Aaron signs, but I think after it becomes official he does sign. There are guys who played with him, with the Jets, with the Packers, who might be available."

Rodgers allegedly doesn't have a "handshake deal" to join the Steelers whenever he feels ready to relocate to Pittsburgh. However, team reporter Mike DeFabo of The Athletic noted as recently as Friday that "it sure seems [the Steelers] believe Rodgers will eventually sign and are willing to give him plenty of time to do so."

Before the Packers traded Rodgers to the Jets in the spring of 2023, Lazard reportedly was on a "wish list" of players submitted by the future Hall of Famer to Gang Green. Lazard ultimately signed a four-year contract worth up to $44M with $22M guaranteed to join the Jets, but he slashed his salary earlier this offseason. 

For Friday's article, DeFabo wrote that he'd "keep an eye on Allen Lazard" being an option for the Steelers because "Rodgers played GM when he went to the Jets" roughly two years ago.

Meanwhile, Fittipaldo mentioned after news of the Pickens trade broke that Rodgers may not "mesh well with a receiver who doesn't run his routes properly, who doesn't attend meetings [and] is late." Fittipaldo expanded on that take during his Thursday radio spot. 

"Aaron Rodgers likes detail with his receivers," Fittipaldo said about how the 41-year-old likely felt about the Steelers trading Pickens. "He likes his receivers to run patterns a certain way...I think he's probably OK with it."