Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that Rodgers is among key starters who will be held out of Thursday's preseason finale against the Panthers, Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodgers will sit out a third consecutive preseason game, as will No. 1 receiver DK Metcalf and star pass rushers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward. The veteran quarterback will have to wait Sunday, Sept. 7 to take on his former team, the Jets, on the road and make his debut in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme. In his stead, Mason Rudolph will start a third straight preseason game under center.

Rodgers is among the Steelers' key players not in line to play in Saturday's preseason game against the Buccaneers, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

With regard to the team's plans for Saturday's contest, coach Mike Tomlin indicated that the same players (with the possible exception of LB Nick Herbig) who didn't play last weekend against the Jaguars won't face Tampa Bay, per Teresa Varley of the Steelers' official site. Apart from Rodgers, that's a group that includes RB Jaylen Warren, WRs DK Metcalf and Calvin Austin (abdomen) and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith (knee). Beyond that, Rodgers is no lock to see any snaps in Pittsburgh's Aug. 21 preseason finale against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Mason Rudolph is slated to start at QB this Saturday for the second straight contest, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes.

Coach Mike Tomlin noted Thursday that Rodgers is among the key skill players who won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Jaguars, Missi Matthews of the Steelers' official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Per the report, WR DK Metcalf, RB Jaylen Warren and TEs Pat Freiermuth and Jonnu Smith also will sit out Saturday's contest along with Rodgers. It remains to be seen if the veteran QB plays in either of the Steelers' two following exhibition games, but ESPN.com suggests that Rodgers is open to doing so if Tomlin wants him to.

Rodgers said Tuesday on The Pat McAfee Show he's "pretty sure" the 2025 season will be his last in the NFL, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

"I'm pretty sure this is my last season and that's why we did the one-year deal," Rodgers said, referring to the one-year, $13.65 million contract he inked in early June. The relatively team-friendly deal for Pittsburgh includes $10 million in guaranteed money and carries a maximum value of $19.5 million, with no cap hit lingering beyond the 2025 campaign. Rodgers, who turns 42 in December, said there's "no better way" to finish his career than with the Steelers, a team that earned a 10-7 record and playoff berth with a combination of Russell Wilson and Justin Fields under center in 2024, before being eliminated in the wild-card round by Baltimore. With the hope of improved quarterback play from Rodgers, who Mike DeFabo of The Athletic reports already began establishing a rapport with new top wideout DK Metcalf at mandatory minicamp, Pittsburgh indeed appears well-positioned to make some noise in the AFC in what is shaping up to be the veteran signal-caller's swan song.

Rodgers signed his one-year, $13.65 million contract with the Steelers on Saturday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal between Pittsburgh and the veteran quarterback came together late in the week and is now official. Per Schefter, Rodgers' contract includes $10 million in guaranteed money and has a maximum value of $19.5 million. It's a significant step down from what he could have made with the Jets, as Rodgers was slated to earn $37.5 million had he remained in New York.

Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

News broke earlier in the day that Rodgers had informed the Steelers of his intention to sign with the team and report for mandatory minicamp next week. However, the deal is now official, and he'll ascend to the top of a previously uninspiring quarterback depth chart in Pittsburgh. Though Rodgers is well past his prime both in on-field and fantasy contributions, his arrival should be good news for the likes of DK Metcalf and Pat Freiermuth.

Rodgers informed Pittsburgh on Thursday that he plans to sign a contract with the team and attend mandatory minicamp, which kicks off June 10, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rodgers' decision has been the largest domino waiting to fall of the Steelers' offseason, and the 41-year-old signal-caller now provides the team some much-desired clarity. With Rodgers planning to sign before the start of minicamp, the veteran will get the benefit of a mostly complete offseason to build chemistry with new top wideout DK Metcalf, and to adapt to offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme. While suiting up for all 17 regular-season games with the Jets in 2024, Rodgers completed 368 of 584 pass attempts (63 percent) for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Despite looking less mobile than usual while coming off the Achilles tear that derailed his 2023 campaign, plus dealing with a lingering hamstring injury, Rodgers displayed competence under center and provides the Steelers with a substantial upgrade over Mason Rudolph. The days of Rodgers being a high-end fantasy option at quarterback seem well in the distance, but his arrival bodes well for the value of Metcalf and the rest of Pittsburgh's skill-position players, including TE Pat Freiermuth and RBs Jaylen Warren and Kaleb Johnson.

The Steelers remain in contact with Rodgers and hope he'll eventually sign, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trading WR George Pickens to the Cowboys makes Pittsburgh a less attractive destination for a QB in general, but it won't necessarily impact Rodgers' decision between the Steelers and retirement, especially if he already expected Pickens to be dealt. Reports in mid-April suggested the 41-year-old was focused on his personal life and eventually would either retire or sign with Pittsburgh. There's been no report on a specific timeline for that decision, but the Steelers presumably would appreciate knowing before OTAs begin May 27.

Rodgers said Thursday on the Pat McAfee Show his decision whether or not to play this season is not "about the money" and that he would "play for $10 million," Brooke Pryorand Rich Cimini of ESPN report.

EDGE Analysis

"I never once said I needed a multi-year deal," Rodgers said, doubling down on the notion that if he does opt to suit up in 2025, the decision will be made solely based upon team circumstance and fit. The 41-year-old QB also made clear that his "focus" currently is "and will continue to be" his personal life, noting that "retirement still could be a possibility." Rodgers has been oft linked to the Steelers since being released by the Jets, especially in the wake of the Giants signing both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, but Pittsburgh is now only one week away from heading into the 2025 NFL Draft without a clear commitment from Rodgers, which could motivate the team to make other moves at the position.

Steelers owner Art Rooney said Tuesday that things are "pointing in that direction" regarding Rodgers potentially signing with Pittsburgh, Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Rooney said the Steelers will wait "a little longer" but not "forever" for Rodgers to make a decision, per Dulac. The veteran quarterback met up with new Pittsburgh wideout DK Metcalf for a throwing session over the weekend, which Rooney called a "good sign," Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com reports. With the Giants, who were often linked to Rodgers following his release by the Jets, having signed both Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, the Steelers' ready-to-compete roster appears to be the best remaining landing spot for the 41-year-old signal-caller, if he opts to continue his NFL career.