Steelers Super Bowl Champion Slams Team’s Pursuit of Aaron Rodgers: ‘Makes Me Sick’

Former Pittsburgh Steelers safety Ryan Clark is one of the top NFL analysts on television. But he’s also considered a proud Steelers alumnus. On Tuesday, Clark’s two identities intertwined on ESPN’s Get Up because of the team’s free agency pursuit of quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason.

Clark didn’t necessarily disagree with the Steelers showing interest in Rodgers. But the ex-safety made it clear he would’ve handled the quarterback’s desire to extend his free agency decision very differently.

“I mean, it makes me sick, to be honest,” Clark said, via 93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi. “Unless Omar, the general manager, Omar Khan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has some sort of promise or some sort of lean on Aaron Rodgers, believing that he is going to come back and play football and if he does make that decision, he’s going to be a Pittsburgh Steeler, I feel like this has been mishandled already.

“I feel like to be waiting or to be held hostage by a former quarterback of the New York Jets that’s actually never done anything for you. What has Aaron Rodgers done in the last two years or since leaving Green Bay that says he should be afforded this type of time? That says that he should give him the sort of respect that keeps your franchise at bay.”

Rodgers won four MVP awards with the Green Bay Packers. He also led the franchise to a Super Bowl victory (against Clark and the Steelers in February 2011). But last season, Rodgers posted a 5-12 record with the New York Jets.

The veteran quarterback will also turn 42 before the end of the 2025 regular season.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s Gerry Dulac reported on March 12 the Steelers made Rodgers an offer. Dulac tweeted the quarterback was taking “his good ol’ time about making a decision.”