“I mean, it makes me sick, to be honest.” This is how Ryan Clark, a former safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers and current ESPN analyst, began his on-air rant against the team’s never-ending quarterback drama. “To be waiting or to be held hostage by a former quarterback of the New York Jets that’s actually never done anything for you… what has Aaron Rodgers done in the last two years or since leaving Green Bay that says he should be afforded this type of time?”

Not only is Clark’s disdain personal, but it also reflects the sentiments of many Steelers fans. The team that made its reputation for toughness, defence, and decisive leadership is now left waiting for Aaron Rodgers, who may be using them as leverage. And others with knowledge say that’s a risky game.

According to The Athletic’s Mark Kaboly, this situation isn’t just unfortunate—it’s shaping up to be a full-blown embarrassment in the making. “If Rodgers doesn’t sign,” Kaboly posted on X, “no matter how the Steelers spin it, it will make them look foolish. Who knows what made the Steelers feel pretty damn confident that Rodgers will eventually sign with them but whatever he did or said, they are all in.” The Steelers literally passed on a few backup QBs, so it would be wrong to say they missed out on them. Not because they had no other options, but because they thought one player (duh! Aaron Rodgers) would jump off and land in their lap.

And the Steelers didn’t rely on hope to support that notion. Kaboly makes it clear: “They must be pretty damn confident because they’ve ignored the QB position.” So what happens if Aaron Rodgers doesn’t walk through that door? “In turn, everybody who has a say on things like this needs to be second-guessed and questioned, and scrutinized. You don’t let the most polarizing figure at the highest profile position in your sport put you in a bad situation without, at the minimum, getting some severe criticism,” Kaboly continues. Translation: This isn’t a, ‘well, we tried’ situation. This is a ‘who thought this was a good idea?’ moment. Because while the Steelers have built a fortress around the possibility of Rodgers signing, there’s no contingency plan. No Plan B. No accountability trail if he ghosts them.

And he might. Since all of these rumours started, Rodgers has not mentioned the Steelers in public. He hasn’t thrown a pass at the facility. Hasn’t given away any hint during an interview. The only known link is a few Instagram breadcrumbs and a workout with DK Metcalf at UCLA. That’s all. However, he appears to be the focal point of the Steelers’ entire offseason flowchart.

And that’s the main issue. A locker room full of sixty men will not be discussing muffins and scones as the offseason program begins; instead, they will be wondering if Rodgers is walking through that door. Like everyone else. Kaboly states: “There has to be some sort of deadline… It doesn’t have to be a public deadline, but definitely a deadline.” However, it’s all conjecture until Rodgers makes a decision and the Steelers demand that he does. The more time passes, the more Mike Tomlin’s team looks like it’s gambling on a ghost.

Steelers bet on Aaron Rodgers, leave TJ Watt waiting in the cold

The Steelers are also playing a risky waiting game with their most valuable player on the roster, while the front team is playing emotional roulette with Rodgers. Kaboly claims that T.J. Watt wants to be paid more than Myles Garrett, who is the NFL’s top defensive player. And the Steelers? They’re asking him to be patient.

Two months ago, patience could have been okay. Now, though? It is said that Watt is becoming agitated. “If I was T.J. Watt, I’d be pissed too,” Kaboly said. And he’s not wrong. Watt’s value to the Steelers isn’t theoretical—it’s historical. Without him, the team’s record is 1–10. If he goes, so does the defence. And yet somehow, the franchise is making him wait while budgeting $30 million for a quarterback who hasn’t even committed.

What’s worse, Watt’s team is watching the Steelers throw cash on possible Rodgers weapons. And that’s on top of the expectation that Rodgers, if signed, will eat up a massive chunk of cap space. So while Watt is still under contract, he’s not oblivious. He recognises the team’s focus. And, it communicates that the franchise does not consider him a priority every day that this extension is not granted.

Kaboly emphasizes that Watt is not leaving. “There is zero chance the Steelers will trade Watt,” he said. “There is zero chance the Steelers won’t give Watt a lucrative extension. Will it be more than Garrett’s number? It will be close.” But Watt doesn’t want lucrative. He wants historic. He wants respect. And right now, he’s watching his team chase a quarterback fantasy while he’s still waiting for a real commitment.

The Steelers’ draft board appears to have been put together by a magic 8-ball, which makes the whole situation worse. Kaboly even joked: “Who are the Steelers in love with now in the first round? It’s been a couple of more minutes.” According to reports, they have teased QB options like Shedeur Sanders, brought in ten defensive linemen for visits, and experimented with trade rumors. It’s like swiping right on everyone at once in the NFL.

What does that mean for Pittsburgh, then? Somewhere between a Watt reality and Aaron Rodgers’ fantasy, both timelines are on the verge of collapsing. And if the Steelers lose one and fumble the other, they won’t just look foolish. They’ll look lost.