Throughout the offseason, Aaron Rodgers has been rumored to have an interest in joining the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Although his plans for the 2025 season remain uncertain, the idea of a Rodgers signing seemed increasingly likely.
When George Pickens was traded to the Dallas Cowboys, it prompted questions about whether Pittsburgh became an even more attractive destination for the veteran quarterback.
Analyst Andrew Fillipponi recently shared a compelling theory, suggesting Rodgers might have influenced the decision to trade Pickens.
“I don’t think Aaron Rodgers wanted to play with George Pickens,” Fillipponi said on the “Maggie and Perloff” show.
‘I don’t think Aaron Rodgers wanted to play with George Pickens.’@ThePoniExpress believes Rodgers is already weighing in on personnel and HE’S NOT EVEN ON THE TEAM YET pic.twitter.com/F2RPR68eHN
— Maggie Gray (@MaggieGray) May 7, 2025
Rodgers continues weighing his options without any apparent rush, citing personal matters within his inner circle as one reason for his delayed decision.
The departure of a talented playmaker like Pickens could raise concerns about whether Rodgers still views the Steelers as a legitimate contender.
However, Andrew noted the conspicuous lack of connection between the two players, as he pointed out how Rodgers never mentioned Pickens during interviews discussing a potential move to Pittsburgh.
Looking at Rodgers’ history of building relationships with other wide receivers, combined with Pickens’ reputation for his strong personality, suggested possible chemistry concerns.
Those factors add credibility to the theory that personal compatibility with Rodgers may have influenced the Steelers’ decision to part with Pickens.
The coming weeks should reveal whether moving on from Pickens will impact Rodgers’ decision about joining the franchise.
NEXT: Jay Gruden Reveals His Thoughts On George Pickens Trade
