NFL insider gives Aaron Rodgers, Steelers contract update after wild theories surface

Quarterback Aaron Rodgers not yet officially re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers as of the morning of May 15 has led to all kinds of theories emerging regarding why the two sides haven't finalized the expected reunion. 

Some have speculated that Rodgers' camp and the Steelers are far apart as it pertains to the money that will be attached to his contract. During an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show," NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero addressed such narratives. 

Contract not an issue for Aaron Rodgers, Steelers this spring

"There is nothing that I have been told that makes me believe that the contract is going to be an issue with Aaron Rodgers," Pelissero explained, per Joe Clark of Steelers Depot. "It's going to be a one-year deal. It's going to have a two in front of it." 

Shortly after Rodgers played what proved to be the final game of his lengthy Green Bay Packers career, he said that "money is energy, and I have made a ton of it." Before he began his first season with the New York Jets, he accepted a pay cut to help Gang Green acquire other talents. Rodgers then signed a team-friendly deal to join the Steelers last offseason. 

Meanwhile, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk raised eyebrows when he suggested this week that Rodgers hadn't re-signed with the Steelers because the future Hall of Famer wanted a verbal guarantee that he would be granted his release before the Tuesday after Week 9 of the upcoming season if Pittsburgh seems destined to complete a losing campaign at that time. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network later poured cold water over that theory. 

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers deal is a "pretty straightforward type of thing"

"It's a pretty straightforward type of thing because this is not about money for a player who's made close to $400M in his career," Pelissero added about discussions between the Steelers and Rodgers. 

Longtime defensive lineman Cameron Heyward is among people associated with the Steelers who seem confident Rodgers will be back atop Pittsburgh's depth chart soon. The Steelers' OTAs begin this coming Monday, and the club's mandatory minicamp gets underway on June 2.