Steelers say Aaron Rodgers situation won't affect draft strategy - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — With less than two days until the Pittsburgh Steelers are scheduled to be on the clock with the No. 21 NFL draft pick in Green Bay, coach Mike Tomlin remained firm that Aaron Rodgers will not impact the Steelers' draft approach.

«It does not,» he said when asked about the Rodgers' situation affecting the team's strategy in a news conference Tuesday.

The outcome of the three-day draft, however, could factor into the team's pursuit of the four-time MVP.

«I think what you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after,» Tomlin said. «We'll see how the acquisition goes this weekend.»

Tomlin reiterated that the team doesn't have a hard deadline by which they'd like a decision from Rodgers.

At the NFL's annual meeting earlier this month, Tomlin said training camp was a «line of demarcation,» but Tuesday he clarified that those comments weren't in reference to acquiring any one player.

«I don't know that I meant that specifically for him or the circumstance,» he said. «I'm just saying in general, when you report to training camp man, it's a line of demarcation for development of a group individually and collectively.»

Tomlin also said he «hadn't pondered» whether he would be comfortable with Rodgers missing OTAs or minicamp.

Rodgers said in an April 17 appearance on «The Pat McAfee Show» that he was transparent with the Steelers — and all teams interested in services — about his indefinite timeline as he works through off-the-field matters.

«This entire time I haven't felt like I owe anyone a decision at any point,» Rodgers said. «This is my life now.… I've been up-front with them about that. If you need to move on, if you need to do something, by all means.

»… I don't think