Close friend and former teammate of Aaron Rodgers, A.J. Hawk, has revealed a potentially key detail about how the quarterback views one of his potential suitors.
After the New York Giants signed Russell Wilson, only the Pittsburgh Steelers are confirmed to be interested in signing Rodgers. The Minnesota Vikings, however, are also a potential destination, and Hawk revealed that one of those teams may have the edge.
A.J. Hawk Reveals Potential Key Factor for Aaron Rodgers
It seemed impossible that there could still be new twists and turns in the Rodgers saga after months of speculation and dwindling options for the veteran. But then Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah refused to rule out the possibility of a move for the four-time MVP.
“It’s our job to make sure we are aware of every potential option. … We are happy with where we are going forward,” Adofo-Mensah said.
The Vikings had previously been reported as out of the running for Rodgers. While Adofo-Mensah didn’t necessarily contradict that, it was a very long and winding answer to a straightforward yes-or-no question.
Just days after the Vikings were reportedly no longer interested in Rodgers, he was in Pittsburgh, meeting with the team’s management. That meeting was believed to have gone well, and progress appeared to be made.
Yet, nothing has materialized in the following week.
On a recent episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” Hawk was quizzed on Rodgers’ visit to Pittsburgh and the question marks surrounding Minnesota’s interest. The nine-year Green Bay Packers linebacker immediately revealed his former teammate’s love for Pittsburgh.
“Well, I do know that he actually really likes all the Pittsburgh staff. He loves the staff, the front office, everything about Pittsburgh. The people there, that’s what makes the Steelers, the Steelers, don’t you think?” Hawk said.
“From the top, down, I think he definitely loves all them.”
“The Vikings had the opportunity to completely close the door on Aaron Rodgers and they didn’t..
I know that Aaron Rodgers loves everybody in that Pittsburgh Steelers building” ~ @OfficialAJHawk#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/bWp42Njv6D
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 28, 2025
You could see McAfee signaling to his team upon realizing that Hawk was sharing something significant.
In a story with frustratingly few breakthroughs, Hawk’s information is another positive sign for the Steelers.
Steelers in Driving Seat for Rodgers
Despite the door being left ajar by Minnesota, it wouldn’t seem to make a great deal of sense for Rodgers, or the Vikings, to pursue a deal.
The team and the fanbase both seem very excited about J.J. McCarthy’s potential, having missed out on their 2024 first-round pick’s rookie season last year due to injury.
Pittsburgh, meanwhile, can offer Rodgers a guaranteed starting spot, something he won’t necessarily get in Minnesota. The team is ready to compete, with several experienced veterans and an improved receiver corps courtesy of an eye-catching trade for DK Metcalf.
Hawk’s admission adds further weight to the idea that Rodgers will be wearing black and gold come September.
How Long Will the Steelers Wait For Rodgers?
There’s no timetable for Rodgers to make his decision, and some analysts wonder if he’ll wait until after the 2025 NFL Draft to sign with a team (or officially retire).
How long will the Steelers wait on Rodgers?
“They will be pretty patient,” said ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler. “My sense is the Steelers remain optimistic here, and they are willing to wait.”
From @SportsCenter: Teams grapple with whether Shedeur Sanders is a true first-round prospect, and Pittsburgh continues to wait at QB while working on draft
With @LRiddickESPN and @aminajadeTV pic.twitter.com/Dnhu0vLmOy
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 29, 2025
Rodgers completed 63.0% of his passes for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 17 games in the 2024 season. However, the stat line wasn’t enough to save the New York Jets from a disappointing 5-12 season.
The Jets released him following the 2024 season, making him a free agent for the first time in his career. Rodgers ranked No. 21 in PFSN’s QB+ metric with a 72.2 (C-) grade. If he plays in 2025, Rodgers will look to improve on those numbers now that he will be another year fully removed from the torn Achilles he suffered in his first game as a Jet in 2023.
“It feels like right now the options are Steelers, retirement, or does he want just to wait three to four months on the Vikings to see if they change their mind, which seems unlikely at this point,” Fowler added.
Neither side appears to be in a rush, and this storyline could drag out into draft week before a resolution is reached.
“I think Pittsburgh, regardless, they have to be doing their homework on the draft-eligible quarterbacks and looking at who they can possibly bring into the fold as a long-term solution,” said ESPN analyst and former executive Louis Riddick.
Jaxon Dart of Ole Miss and Tyler Shough of Texas Tech have often been linked to the Steelers as potential draft targets if the team selects one early. Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is another name that has been floated as a possibility for Pittsburgh, more likely as a day-two pick in his case. Milroe and the Steelers’ brass met for dinner before Alabama’s Pro Day, potentially strengthening the case for him as a draft target.