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NFL insider proves Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers needed each other after losing out on their preferred choices

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Rob Gregson | Last updated Jun 9, 2025 8:30 AM ET

The NFL is a very funny business.

When pictures surfaced of Aaron Rodgers being greeted by a smiling Omar Khan at the Pittsburgh Steelers' facility on Saturday, it was if the two parties wanted to be together all along.

Omar getting up early today to meet Aaron Rodgers at the door. @AshleyLiotus on the scene pic.twitter.com/ipYdFE4jZq
— Mark Kaboly (@MarkKaboly) June 7, 2025

But the reality is, they may not have wanted each other in the begining, but they needed each other in the end...

Steelers wanted Justin Fields, Matthew Stafford, then Aaron Rodgers

“This was the best move that the Pittsburgh Steelers could make right now,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter said. “But, lets also remember, this was the third option for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They were in on Matthew Stafford and couldn’t get done a trade. They tried to re-sign Justin Fields, he opted to go to the New York Jets where he will meet Aaron Rodgers on opening day. After they couldn’t get a trade done for Stafford and couldn’t get Fields re-signed, they pivoted to Aaron Rodgers. So Aaron Rodgers, right now, was their third choice.”

ESPN #NFL Insider @AdamSchefter revealed that Aaron Rodgers was the #Steelers ‘third choice’ at QB this offseason.

They preferred re-signing Justin Fields who signed with the #Jets & they explored a trade with the #Rams for Matthew Stafford.

After those pursuits failed, they… pic.twitter.com/21y87lSehO
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) June 6, 2025

Schefter's report comes as no real suprise on the Fields front, as A to Z Sports reported that Fields was the Steelers' preferred choice. But after failing to meet Fields' demands both monetarily and in terms of guaranteeing him a starring role for the whole season, Fields left for greener (literally) pastures in New York.

What is interesting, however, is to hear that the Steelers tried to swing a big trade for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. There was rumbling after the season, but it felt like Stafford and the Rams were working out contract demands more so than going through a divorce.

The iorny here, is that Aaron Rodgers wanted to desperately play for the Rams, with league sources telling A to Z Sports that Los Angeles was Rodgers' top destination after the Jets made it clear they were moving on.

Either way, it's all behind everyone now. Both the Steelers and Rodgers believe they can win a Super Bowl together. And that preparation starts this week, where for three days, Rodgers will ingratiate himself with his teammates before everyone heads off on summer vacation. Then comes Latrobe for what, in essence, is the start of the season when training camp kicks off.