On Tuesday, however, general manager Omar Khan and coach Mike Tomlin emphasized that Rodgers’ uncertain status will not affect their strategy for this week’s NFL draft.
With just Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson under contract, the Steelers have needs at quarterback and along the defensive line, where they have the 21st overall pick in Thursday night’s first round.
Khan stated that “all options are on the table” regarding how the organization might add whoever those two quarterbacks end up being to the roster, and that the goal is to have that number double by the time the team reports to training camp in late July.
Last week, the 41-year-old Rodgers, who visited Pittsburgh’s stadium in March, stated that he still keeps in touch with the Steelers but that his personal situation has taken precedent over his job prospects.
The draft’s quarterback class isn’t that deep, despite Khan’s repeated statements that it’s a “good group.” Jaxson Dart and Shedeur Sanders, two possible first-round picks, were among the four players the Steelers invited for a pre-draft visit.
Tomlin referred to his time with Sanders as “productive” and stated that the football game was the main emphasis, not Sanders’ father, Colorado coach and Hall of Famer Deion Sanders.
“There´s a toughness there (in Shedeur) that doesn´t get talked about enough,” added Tomlin. The competitive spirit that exists there isn’t discussed enough. Even though I am aware of his talent and the numerous plays he has made for his team and university, I was impressed by the intangible traits he showed on camera.
After sending a second-round pick to Seattle in March for wide receiver DK Metcalf, the Steelers are short on draft capital. Khan is uninterested in include the gifted but undeveloped wide receiver George Pickens in whatever package it might take to make it happen, even though there is a chance they could trade into the second round. The final year of Pickens’ rookie deal is about to begin.
Khan remarked, “We are happy to have George and DK here.” “I think they´re going to be exciting for everyone to watch.”
Over half of Pittsburgh’s 30 pre-draft visits were spent on defensive lineman or running backs. Jaylen Warren is now the most seasoned back on the team after the Steelers allowed Najee Harris to walk in free agency. Although Pittsburgh is certain to utilize at least one of its six selections on another ball carrier to add to the mix, Tomlin stated his belief that Warren is prepared to be a feature back.
There are several choices in a defensive lineman class that is incredibly deep. To go with 35-year-old Cam Heyward, a four-time All-Pro, the Steelers are seeking help up front. Pittsburgh’s season ended with a five-game losing streak in which opponents pushed them around.
Until the four-time MVP makes a permanent decision, the Rodgers question doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, regardless of how the draft turns out. It doesn’t appear that the Steelers are eager to speak with him.
Tomlin shrugged when asked if he was comfortable with Rodgers not taking part in planned team activities or minicamp the following month if he remained uncommitted at that time.
If Rodgers was still uncommitted at that point, Tomlin shrugged when asked if he was okay with his skipping the next month’s minicamp or other team activities.
