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Reporter offers update on Steelers' pursuit of Aaron Rodgers
Aaron Rodgers. Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Reporter offers update on Steelers' pursuit of Aaron Rodgers

If the Pittsburgh Steelers are unable to sign Aaron Rodgers this offseason, it will not be due to a lack of effort.

Rodgers visited with the Steelers on Friday, which was his first known meeting with a team since the New York Jets officially released him. The 41-year-old has reportedly had contract offers from both Pittsburgh and the New York Giants since the start of free agency.

During an appearance on "SportsCenter" Saturday, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler shared some insight on the Steelers' pursuit of Rodgers. He said several members of the team's brass rearranged their schedules to meet with Rodgers on Friday. Fowler added that a source told him the Steelers are "aggressively" trying to sign Rodgers.

"They've already got a contract offer standing out to Rodgers in place. They talked about fit. He met with offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, Mike Tomlin, owner Art Rooney, GM Omar Khan," Fowler said. "In fact, I was told the Steelers wanted to make this meeting happen so much they skipped Michigan's pro day yesterday, which if you know the Steelers, that's a big deal. The whole contingent goes there for the big pro day. They stood in town to meet with him.

"I checked with a team source who said they're aggressively pursuing this. He's No. 1 on their radar. Russell Wilson's not totally off the list, but they would like to try to make this happen."

There has been speculation that Rodgers is taking so long with his decision because he is not certain if he wants to play next season. However, a new report claimed the former MVP is merely trying to create leverage.

Rodgers' top choice was said to be the Minnesota Vikings, but they are committed to JJ McCarthy. The Steelers made the playoffs last year and are much closer to contention than the Giants, but Rodgers wouldn't even have to move if he signed with New York.

As long as Russell Wilson remains available, the Steelers have a viable backup plan in place. Should Wilson sign with another team, the urgency to land Rodgers will probably become even greater in Pittsburgh.

Steve DelVecchio

Steve is a veteran writer who has covered a variety of sports and pop culture topics for more than 15 years. In addition to Yardbarker, his work has been featured on prominent digital publications including Larry Brown Sports, MSN and FOX Sports. The UConn graduate has published more than 40,000 stories and is one of the most experienced trending news writers in the country

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