Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said joining the team was the best thing for his soul.
“I was dealing with a lot of things in my personal life, and some things improved a little bit, where I felt like I could fully be all in here with the guys,” Rodgers said of his decision-making process at a press conference. “[I] had great conversations with Mike throughout the entire process, and [general manager] Omar [Khan], but it’s good to get that done and get behind us.”
Rodgers said he did not make his decision earlier because he did not want to be mentally or physically absent. In order not to be all-in for his teammates, he waited until his personal issues were resolved. One of those personal circumstances was getting married: Rodgers announced his nuptials after a reporter asked him about the ring he was wearing; he said it had been “a couple months” but gave no other details.
The four-time NFL MVP, entering his 21st season in the league, said Tomlin was one of the biggest attractions that drew him toward Pittsburgh.
The quarterback called his offseason discussions with Tomlin “some of the coolest conversations I’ve had in the game, definitely with a head coach.” He said his rapport with Tomlin was such that his only options were to play for the Steelers or not play at all.
“He’s a big reason I’m here,” Rodgers added. “I believe in him, and [I’m]excited to play for him.”
Rodgers mentioned the large number of Pittsburgh natives that have coached him throughout his career. He also expressed his admiration for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and quarterbacks coach Tom Arth, whom Rodgers briefly played with during the Packers’ 2006 offseason.
Rodgers also spoke highly of wide receiver D.K. Metcalf, and tight ends Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Connor Heyward. Rodgers said that Metcalf and Heyward have been in constant communication.
“He’s big, athletic, fast, got great hands, ball skills,” he said of Metcalf. “But the thing that really is excites me the most is his character... I like his whole personality, and his approach, and the way he is on the field, his professionalism.”
“I like the opportunity to work with all the guys in the tight end room,” he added. “I told Darnell today, I haven’t had a tight end like him since Marcedes [Lewis] and Marcedes [is an] all-time great. Darnell is like a young Marcedes, able to do things in the passing game, dominate the line of scrimmage. Connor had a really nice day today, I thought, making plays. So there’s a lot of guys in that room with great skill sets.”
Rodgers said he planned to bring the receivers out to his home in Malibu, California, for a workout during the offseason.
The decision to play for the Steelers ultimately came from a desire to give back to the game.
“I don’t need [to play] for my ego,” he said. “A lot of decisions that I’ve made over my career, in life, from strictly the ego— even if they turn out well—are always unfulfilling. But the decisions made from the soul are usually pretty fulfilling. So this was the decision that was best for my soul, and I felt like being here with Coach T and the guys they’ve got here, and the opportunity here was the best for me and I’m excited to be here.”
Rodgers said he wants to be a “servant leader” for his teammates and pass on the knowledge that comes with 20 seasons in the NFL. He made special mention of rookie QB Will Howard, noting that he “seems pretty bright” and saying he would try to help him as much as he can.
Rodgers said he is not playing for any specific goal; he simply wants to have fun and enjoy the game.
“I have a lot that motivates me, but this is about the love of the game,” he said. “The game has given me so much over the years, and [I’m] making peace with a nice long career.”
