By Adeniyi Precious 
Aaron Rodgers is still weighing his options in free agency, but the Pittsburgh Steelers might have an edge—and it’s all thanks to his nostalgia for his Green Bay Packers days.
The 41-year-old quarterback has been linked to multiple teams, including the Giants, Vikings, and Raiders, but now the Steelers are looking like the frontrunners. And according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Rodgers’ growing appreciation for his time in Green Bay is playing a big role in his decision-making.
“I’ve heard Rodgers is looking for a culture similar to what he had in Green Bay,” Breer wrote. While his exit from the Packers wasn’t exactly smooth, spending two rough years with the Jets seems to have made him reflect on the stability and success he had in Wisconsin.
That’s where the Steelers come in. Like Green Bay, Pittsburgh has a long-standing culture, a family-like atmosphere, and a history of winning. Plus, the Steelers’ roster is packed with veterans like T.J. Watt, Cam Heyward, Minkah Fitzpatrick, and DK Metcalf—players who, like Rodgers, are in “win-now” mode.
The big question is: Is Rodgers still the right guy for a team with championship ambitions? His Jets stint was supposed to be a Super Bowl push, but he tore his Achilles just five plays into his first season. Then, in Year 2, the Jets finished a miserable 5-12. At 41, injuries and inconsistency are real concerns.
If Rodgers does land in Pittsburgh, he’ll have another shot at proving he can still lead a team to the promised land.