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New details concerning the relationship between Aaron Rodgers and Mike Tomlin prove the Steelers never panicked at quarterback

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 7:19 PM ET

When the Pittsburgh Steelers lost the Justin Fields sweepstakes and let Russell Wilson walk, they didn't seem too worried.

Shortly after that, they met with Aaron Rodgers, though it took over two months before he would sign his contract.

Yet, the team seemed far too complacent to ever think Rodgers wasn't going to be the quarterback.

Because they never did, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated...

Aaron Rodgers would call Mike Tomlin throughout free agent process

The visit was set up more to get everyone to know each other—trust was important for Rodgers, and meeting face-to-face was an effort to try to establish that—though Rodgers did spend time talking football with Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith. The Steelers did figure out that Rodgers had some strong relationships in the Jets’ building (co-owner Christopher Johnson, president Hymie Elhai, coach Robert Saleh), which showed that the idea that everything was messy for him in New York was overblown.

From there, the sides resolved to stay in touch. There weren’t regularly scheduled check-ins, but Rodgers would call Tomlin and Smith every now and again, which colors why the Steelers were never really concerned that Rodgers would back out on them.

- Albert Breer, Sports Illustrated

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I find it interesting that Rodgers would routinely call the Steelers, when what he heard for most of the offseason was that he had not made his decision, and that all options, including retirement, were on the table. That wasn't hearsay, that came from Rodgers himself on The Pat McAfee Show, even if it never felt real.

And I'm sure this decision did take time. For one, Rodgers was open about his personal situation during public appearances. But let's not pretend like Rodgers and the Steelers were some match made in heaven. A to Z Sports reported that Justin Fields was the team's first option, and Aaron Rodgers would have liked to stay in New York before making his case to the Rams, according to sources.

It's all in the past now. What matters is how Rodgers looks in 2025.

We get our first glimpse at that this week during mandatory minicamp.