PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers may or may not play for the Steelers this season, but the discussion around his status has become so mind-numbing that I am not sure what the actual talking points actually are anymore.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette columnist Jason Mackey was the latest to sound off about how the Steelers should “move on” from Rodgers. To him and everyone else with this opinion, I ask this: move on to what?

This is not to pick on Mackey — he is a colleague and does great work. He is just the latest to say the Steelers are being held hostage by Rodgers and/or are paralyzed as an organization to do anything until he makes a decision.

But back to the question — OK, let’s say the Steelers are moving on. What are they moving on to?

Please list all of the quarterbacks that are available that would be clear upgrades over Mason Rudolph that won’t cost a ton of money or a bunch of draft picks to acquire.

I will help you — there aren’t any out there. Oh, wait. There are some calling for the Steelers to do what it takes to go get Kirk Cousins. Anyone who is suggesting that should probably get their brain checked out or lay off the wacky tobaccy.

I mean, I suppose Cousins would be a good fit with the Steelers because like Mike Tomlin, he doesn’t win playoff games. But what about Cousins is attractive? Is it that he is old, slow, has a bad wheel, costs way too much money and doesn’t win in the playoffs? Or are there some other things I am missing?

Rodgers went on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday and said exactly what I have said since Day 1 of this thing — he is contemplating his future because he is 41 years old and isn’t sure he is fully committed to wanting to play. I would love for someone to explain what the issue is with this explanation.

He is taking his time and he wants to make sure that if he commits to a team, he is going to be all in (his exact words). He doesn’t need money. He has made a gazillion dollars in his career. He isn’t trophy chasing, as he already has won a Super Bowl, and he isn’t trying to pit one team against another.

He is deciding as a 41-year old whether he wants to play.

There are a number of people who watched that interview and came to the conclusion he is leaning toward retirement, and I would probably agree he is at least really thinking long and hard about it.

Some, like NFL insider Josina Anderson, took to X to beg the Steelers to move on because Rodgers “taking this long to decide (which is Aaron Rodgers' right, but duly noted), lets you know there will be potential for wavering waters in the well during the season and more so amidst adversity.”

Actually, she couldn’t be more wrong, as the opposite is true — Rodgers is taking this long specifically so he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt that whatever his decision is, he will be at peace with it. I heard a guy say specifically he has a lot of things he needs to consider, and that is why he is taking his time.

If he chooses to come back and play and signs with the Steelers, it will be because he knows he is all in and will be fully committed to trying to win. There won’t be wavering and changes of heart and all that silliness that Anderson and Co. (many who just hate Aaron Rodgers) keep throwing out there.

Also the “Steelers need to put him on a deadline” crowd is missing that point completely, as well. The fact he has been given the ability to take his time as opposed to rushing to meet some arbitrary and meaningless deadline means he is almost assuredly going to come to the conclusion after weighing every factor and thus make the right decision.

In the meantime, what about waiting for Rodgers has forced the Steelers to do anything differently than they would be doing if he signed with them today? I actually get the impression they are operating as if he is a luxury item that isn’t necessarily a part of their decision making long term at quarterback.

The Steelers can and will draft a quarterback with or without a decision from Rodgers because he is a bridge quarterback, a one-year solution and nothing more. The best case is the Steelers draft a quarterback and Rodgers is around to mentor him for a year and enables the rookie to grow and develop without having to play.

And if Rodgers doesn’t ultimately sign with the Steelers, they already have their bridge quarterback in Mason Rudolph on the roster. The Steelers have made it clear they are comfortable with him if they need to be.

The only thing that would change about their current situation if Rodgers decides to retire or play elsewhere is the Steelers will need to sign a cheap veteran to be an extra arm and backup. And no offense to these players, but they are all over the place and easy to find.

Rodgers represents the chance for the Steelers to have a Hall of Fame-level quarterback as their starter for one season, and whatever you think of him at this stage, he is much better than any of these scrap-heap guys I keep hearing they should go after.

The Steelers don’t need an answer today unless the season starts next week, and I didn’t hear about a schedule change. They don’t need an answer today from Rodgers because regardless of what he chooses, it won’t alter their planning for their next long-term solution at quarterback.

There is no good or real reason for the Steelers to move on or demand a deadline because they aren’t sitting idly and waiting for him. If he comes, they get a really good quarterback for one year, and if he doesn’t, they still have a plan in place to get through next season.

The Steelers have handled this situation exactly right, and it might pay off in a big way for them if Rodgers decides to sign. The only people who seem to be bothered by Rodgers’ deliberate pace are those outside of the organization, as the Steelers certainly don’t seem and haven’t acted like a team being “held hostage” by anyone.

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