Aaron Rodgers plans to sign with Steelers, sources say - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — Four-time MVP quarterbacks come to those who wait.

And wait. And wait.

Aaron Rodgers plans to sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter, ending months of uncertainty around his future and uniting the future Hall of Famer with a team that desperately needs a quarterback.

The news comes more than 80 days since the start of free agency and 70 days after Rodgers visited the Steelers. Sources told Schefter that Rodgers plans to fly to Pittsburgh on Friday and join the Steelers ahead of next week's mandatory minicamp.

Rodgers emerged as a serious candidate to join the Steelers on the first day of the free agent negotiating period in March, but he took a circuitous route to officially becoming a member of the organization.

Rodgers has been linked with the Steelers throughout the offseason, especially after Pittsburgh opted to let both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields leave as free agents. The Steelers did not use a high draft pick on a quarterback in April, and were set to enter their mandatory offseason program with Mason Rudolph as their starter.

Rodgers, 41, has been a free agent since his split with the Jets earlier this offseason. The deal with Pittsburgh sets up a Week 1 showdown between Rodgers and the Jets, who will host the Steelers in their season opener.

The Steelers never wavered in their belief that Rodgers eventually would sign with them, sources told Schefter.

Longtime Steelers coach Mike Tomlin loomed large throughout the process and was a drawing card for Rodgers, according to sources, who added that Tomlin was happy to work within Rodgers' timeline this offseason.

After taking a visit to the team's practice facility on March 21, Rodgers remained in communication with the