We all know the NFL likes to manufacture drama whenever possible in making the schedule, but changing things because of a narcissistic, should-be-retired quarterback is pretty darn incredible. In deciding on games this year, particularly those for the Steelers, the league really had to think about how Aaron Rodgers could impact the slate.
The NFL really tweaked the schedule because of Aaron Rodgers
Alrighty then.
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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.
NFL scheduling executive Mike North spoke to the Associated Press on Thursday about giving Pittsburgh four prime time games in 2025, and admitted that it could have been more if Rodgers agreed to join the team.
“We don’t know anything more than than anybody else. The schedule was built for Coach Tomlin and for the Steelers. If Aaron decides to play, it probably just makes many, if not all, the Steelers games a little more interesting.”
North went on to say that if Rodgers was on the Steelers roster right now it likely would have meant that Steelers vs. Jets in Week 1 became a primetime game, instead of being a 1 p.m. start. Is Steelers vs. Jets worth a spot on it’s own? Absolutely not, but the league would have relished in the Rodgers revenge game against New York.
As for Aaron himself, who knows? He’s been flirting with the idea of signing with a team for months now, teasing it out on The Pat McAfee Show, while also saying he doesn’t want to be the center of attention. That’s put the Steelers in a bit of a lurch when it comes to their QB for this season, as the organization seemingly keeps hoping to get an answer from Rodgers so their can build their depth chart.
Currently the organization only has Mason Rudolph, Will Howard, and Skylar Thompson as quarterback on their depth chart after letting both Justin Fields and Russell Wilson leave via free agency. That has made Rodgers their white whale, and nobody knows what he’s going to do.
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