PALM BEACH, Fla. - Saying the team is getting "positive signals" regarding the status of Aaron Rodgers, Steelers President Art Rooney II said Tuesday the team also cannot wait forever for a decision from the free agent quarterback regarding his intention to play in 2025.
Speaking to the media following the league meeting here at The Breakers, Rooney reiterated that the team's meeting with Rodgers two weeks ago at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex went well and that there is a belief that the 41-year-old four-time NFL MVP will not only choose to play in 2025, but will do so for the Steelers.
"We'll see what happens. And hopefully, we'll know something soon," Rooney said.
"(We won't wait) forever, but a little longer."
The Steelers began courting Rodgers, who spent the past two seasons with the New York Jets before being released early in the free agency period that began March 12.
That included the visit two weeks ago. Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin also said Monday he has been in consistent contact with Rodgers since that meeting, while Monday, the NFL Network reported that the quarterback and new Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf, acquired via trade with the Seahawks, had a throwing session together recently at UCLA.
"I would say it was a good sign that he wanted to do that," Rooney said. "And you know, we keep hearing that he's headed in our direction. And so that seems to be all signs are positive so far."
In the meanwhile, Rooney is happy with the moves the team has made in free agency. In addition to acquiring Metcalf, the Steelers have also signed quarterback Mason Rudolph, cornerbacks Darius Slay and Brandin Echols, linebacker Malik Harrison running back Kenneth Gainwell and safety Juan Thornhill, among others.
"I think over It's gone well, we've picked up some players that I think can help us and," Rooney said. "The door's still open. And we'll see what happens from here on."
Meanwhile, NFL owners voted Tuesday morning on a number of rule proposals that had been submitted prior to the week's meeting, including one that would have banned aiding a quarterback on short-yardage plays, which has become known as the "Tush Push."
That debate was tabled for a later meeting.
"I think it was a combination of things. It also got into a discussion about other similar kinds of plays where we have these scrums down field, where guys are pushing the pile, and why aren't we addressing that while we're addressing this?" said Rooney, who said the Steelers were in favor of banning the play. "So it got into a number of different things that came up that just, I guess it seemed like it was better off tabling it and coming back and talking about more later."
Ownership did approve a proposal by the Steelers that will allow teams to directly communicate with free agent players during the league's legal tampering period leading up to free agency. Previously, teams had only been permitted to speak to the player's representation.
"I do think it's an improvement in terms of really being able to talk to the player himself and rather than just his agent in that negotiating window," Rooney said. "So, you know, we think it's an improvement."
Also given approval were rules that will allow expanded use of replay to assist officials on the field in game administrative issues when there is clear evidence, moving the ball spot on a touchback for the "Dynamic" kickoff to the 35 instead of the 30, and giving both teams an opportunity to possess the ball in regular season 10-minute overtime regardless of the outcome of the initial possession.
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A rule proposal that also would have allowed onside kicks at any point during a game, as long as the attempting team was trailing, was tabled. Currently, teams can only declare an onside kick if they are trailing in the fourth quarter.
"I'm not 100 percent sure I'm in love with this rule but we'll see how it goes for another year," Rooney said of the dynamic kickoff. "It's a permanent rule now. There were parts that were being tabled on the kickoff, or what was what passed, what didn't. The onside kick portion was tabled for further discussion, and so everything else was passed."
Another rule proposal that was not passed was one by the Lions that would have seeded the playoffs based solely on regular season record, thus taking an automatic home playoff game away from division winners.
"We were against the playoff seeding," Rooney said. "We think that division rivalries are one of the more important parts of the competition, and (we) just don't want to do anything to upset that."
Rooney also said he's excited regarding the team's announced international game in the 2025 season in Dublin, Ireland, the first regular season game on the island of Ireland.
Demand for tickets from Steelers fans also have been great.
"We're excited to be going to Ireland, and we told the league that we need more tickets," Rooney said. "The demand, so far, has been great, and we're looking forward to it."
