What Aaron Rodgers means for the Steelers' offense - ESPN

PITTSBURGH — As Aaron Rodgers asserted he "wasn't holding anyone hostage," the Pittsburgh Steelers' refrain of the spring was that they were going to conduct their offseason business independent of Rodgers' decision.

Yet neither's actions matched their words.

As Rodgers dealt with what he called «difficult stuff» for members of his inner circle, attended a Kentucky Derby party and hung out with friend and rapper Mike. at a couple of his concerts, the Steelers bypassed nearly every quarterback option before drafting Will Howard in the sixth round. They also opted to sign Mason Rudolph as their lone true veteran quarterback to join an inexperienced Skylar Thompson at the position.

Though one of coach Mike Tomlin's many creeds is wanting his players to be «volunteers, not hostages,» the Steelers all but volunteered to be Rodgers' hostage by putting all of their eggs in his basket. With the draft over, a desolate free agent quarterback market and few trade options, Rodgers is the Steelers' last best hope. And yet, on paper and on the field, Rodgers doesn't appear to be a fit for the Steelers' offense or its longstanding organizational philosophies, leaving the franchise hurtling toward an identity crisis.

Tomlin doubled down on the importance of being a run-first team when he hired offensive Arthur Smith a year ago, but on Friday the Steelers are expected to agree to a deal with Rodgers, who attempted the second-most passes in the NFL last season.

Tomlin also repeatedly emphasized mobility as a coveted quarterback trait, yet his new signal-caller took 40 sacks and rushed 34 times for 94 yards last season.

And general manager Omar Khan orchestrated a blockbuster trade to acquire premier deep threat DK Metcalf on the eve of