NFL maintains they did not leverage confidential intel on Aaron Rodgers to establish Pittsburgh Steelers schedule instead of Green Bay Packers, countering speculation on the matter.
The NFL hasn't got a clue if Aaron Rodgers will eventually join the Pittsburgh Steelers, but that hasn't stopped fans from speculating. With the Steelers' schedule set, the league didn't factor Rodgers' potential signing, despite him having a bone to pick with the New York Jets following his departure under less than friendly terms.
For good measure, the NFL even slotted a matchup between the Steelers and the Jets as the kickoff game for both teams on September 7, leaving many questioning the NFL's lack of foresight. However, NFL VP of broadcasting and scheduling, Mike North, insists that the Steelers' track record of success and national fan base warranted them nationally televised games.
The league's initially casual stance on the matter changes when we look at the scheduled matchup between the Steelers and Green Bay Packers in Week 8. The NFL opted for a Sunday night standalone game, positioning it as the premier game of the week. Rodgers spent 18 years with the Packers, leading them to a Super Bowl victory and clutching four MVP awards. With Rodgers potentially playing for the Steelers, the game's profile would undoubtedly skyrocket.
But North explains that the game wasn't deliberately scheduled with Rodgers in mind, maintaining that the league remains in the dark regarding Rodgers' decisions. The NFL, according to North, is merely playing it safe by not throwing the game into the national limelight, potentially causing disruption in partnerships. If Rodgers did join the Steelers, many of their games would become more intriguing, but as of now, the NFL claims ignorance about Rodgers' future plans.
So, while the Steelers might be rooting for Rodgers, it seems the NFL is more content to watch from the sidelines and wait for the dust to settle. Can't say we blame them. After all, football is a game of strategy, and sometimes it pays to stay patient.
Fans are speculating about the possibility of Aaron Rodgers joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the NFL hasn't made any bets on it yet, given their uncertain circumstances. With Rodgers' potential NFL transition stemming from unfriendly terms with the New York Jets, the upcoming matchup between the Steelers and Packers in Week 8 is garnering attention as a high-stakes American-football sports event, regardless of Rodgers' eventual choice.
