Insiders update how some Steelers players allegedly feel about Aaron Rodgers storyline

Local and national reporters continue to insist that free agent Aaron Rodgers will be the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback by the time the 2025 season gets underway. 

However, Rodgers missing the opening days of the organized team activities portion of the offseason program has generated plenty of discussions among analysts, fans and former players. 

According to NFL insider James Palmer of Bleacher Report, some members of the Steelers aren't thrilled with the fact that their advertised QB1 hasn't yet signed a contract with the club. 

"From my understanding, there are some players in the locker room that are a little put off by the situation," Palmer said about the eventual Steelers-Rodgers marriage during a Wednesday update shared on YouTube, per Troy Montgomery of Steelers Depot. "...I'd say there were some players in the early portions of this put off and frustrated with it. I do think it is real, from my understanding, that Aaron Rodgers is dealing with some off-the-field personal matters. And I think that is respected. I think, up until that came out, there was a little more frustration in the locker room. But I do think that shifted a little bit once that part came out. I do believe he'll be welcomed when he gets into that locker room."

Palmer was referencing how Rodgers revealed during an April appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show" that his focus during the offseason had "been and will continue to be on my personal life." That said, Steelers reporter Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette more recently noted that he felt the Rodgers matter was "already a sideshow" for Pittsburgh because it created a perception "that one guy is above the team and bigger than the team."

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette expanded on Batko's take during a Wednesday appearance on Pittsburgh sports radio station 93.7 The Fan. 

"A lot of the guys [Tuesday] said the right things when it came to Aaron Rodgers not being there, but I also got the sense that they're...just kind of sick of this being the storyline about this football team for more than two months now," Fittipaldo explained, according to Alex Kozora of Steelers Depot.

Reports have indicated that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin won't be bothered if Rodgers remains unsigned through the club's mandatory minicamp scheduled to run from June 10-12. It remains to be seen if all of Tomlin's players will share his feelings whenever Rodgers enters the building this spring or summer.