NFL Insider Tom Pelissero: Rodgers’ Steelers Decision Will Not be about Money

Tom Pelissero arrived to update the Aaron Rodgers watch and immediately cleared the most popular theory off the table. This is not going to come down to money.

"I do not believe, based on what I know, that the contract is going to hold this up," Pelissero told Rich.

There has been communication between the Steelers and Rodgers's agent, Dave Dunn. Pelissero described those conversations as positive. The two sides have talked numbers. They do not have a deal.

The reason the dollars are not the point is the obvious one. Rodgers has made roughly $400 million in his career.

"If he's making 15 or 20, I don't think that's going to have a great impact on his life," Pelissero said. "If Aaron Rodgers is coming back, it's not to make a few extra bucks. It's to go and try to win a championship."

The argument for Pittsburgh, Pelissero said, is the package, not the paycheck. A locker room that enjoyed Rodgers last year. A new head coach in Mike McCarthy who knows him as well as anyone in the league. An offense Rodgers has been operating his entire career.

The catch is that none of the public choreography is in place yet. Pelissero noted that despite the swirl around Rodgers possibly being in Pittsburgh, no meeting was scheduled, no facility visit was on the books, and there had not been communication that morning about a popover or anything like it.

"He could walk in the door in three minutes for all we know," Pelissero said.

Pelissero's prediction was direct.

"I believe that this all ends with Aaron Rodgers being the Steelers quarterback. I believe most likely it ends with Aaron Rodgers out there when OTAs get going on May 18."

Whether the formal commitment happens this weekend, next week, or right before that May 18 date is up to Rodgers. The path is set. The timing, as it has always been with this particular quarterback, is his to decide.