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Pittsburgh Steelers

Why Aaron Rodgers picked to play for the Steelers

What Aaron Rodgers said he loves about Pittsburgh

By Jeff HathhornJun 10, 2025

Jeff Hathhorn

Jeff grew up in Sharpsville (Mercer County) and has a BA in Journalism from Ohio State. Jeff’s career started as a sophomore in college working at…

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PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There was talk of the bromance between Mike Tomlin and Aaron Rodgers dating back a couple of years. Turns out it's a real thing and the reason Rodgers says he ended up in Pittsburgh.

"I think it starts with Mike Tomlin," Rodgers said after his first minicamp workout Tuesday. "I've been a fan of his for a long time."

Later asked about the offense, Rodgers acknowledged Arthur Smith being a Mike Shanahan coach. He mentioned his previous relationship with Steelers quarterbacks coach Tom Arth. Then he brought it back to Tomlin.

"A big attraction was Mike Tomlin," Rodgers said. "I've gone against him over the years. The way that the conversations went between him and I in March. Then last Sunday when I called him was some of the coolest conversations I've had in the game, definitely with a head coach. He's a big reason that I'm here. I believe in him and excited to play for him."

Rodgers said he talked to other organizations, but he said it got to the point, because of the relationship with Tomlin, that it was play for the Steelers or don't play. It was also an attraction to the city and organization.

"There are a few iconic franchises in the NFL, I played for one of them for 18 years," Rodgers said. "This is another one of those. There is something special about this area. There are so many great quarterbacks are from Pittsburgh. I feel like Pittsburgh has been a part of my career from the beginning."

He would go on to list all of the relationships with Pittsburgh natives or former Steelers from Mike McCarthy (he then gave a shout out to Greenfield Avenue) as his head coach for 13 years in Green Bay to long-time quarterbacks coach Tom Clements. Then the assistants Dom Capers, Kevin Greene, Darren Perry, Ben McAdoo, Frank Cignetti, Luke Getsy and he fears he may have missed some.

"A lot of Yinzers in my life," Rodgers said.

"This is a blue-collar town. The history of this great area is building the structure of the country. A lot of great people here. Great fan base, we've played here over the years. They even have their own song the play late in the third or in the fourth quarter."

"It's a special place to play sports. Great blue-collar people. I'm excited to meet some of the fans along the way."

Rodgers said he doesn't need this for his ego. He said a lot of decisions that he's made strictly from ego have been unfulfilling. The 41-year-old said this decision was made from somewhere deeper.

"This was a decision that was best for my soul," Rodgers said. "I felt like being here with Coach T and the guys here was the best opportunity for me."

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