Mike Tomlin has firmly stated that potential pursuit of free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers will not influence the Pittsburgh Steelers\' approach to the draft.
\"It does not,\" Tomlin declared when questioned about the Rodgers situation affecting team strategy during Tuesday\'s news conference. However, Tomlin acknowledged that draft outcomes could impact subsequent roster moves, noting: \"I think what you do in the draft oftentimes affects maybe some talent acquisition that happens after.\"
The Steelers find themselves with just two quarterbacks currently on the roster in Mason Rudolph and Skylar Thompson while General Manager Omar Khan has confirmed plans to enter training camp with their customary four signal-callers. Pittsburgh has conducted pre-draft visits with several quarterback prospects, including Colorado\'s Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss\' Jaxson Dart, Louisville\'s Tyler Shough, and Syracuse\'s Kyle McCord.
Tomlin specifically addressed his meeting with Sanders, highlighting intangible qualities that impressed him during their interaction.
\"The things that stood out were evident in the video,\" Tomlin explained. \"There\'s a toughness there that doesn\'t get talked about enough. There\'s a competitive spirit there that doesn\'t get talked about enough.\"
When discussing timeline expectations for a potential Rodgers decision, Tomlin clarified that while training camp represents a \"line of demarcation\" for roster development, this wasn\'t specifically directed at the veteran quarterback. \"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.\"
The Ringer has ranked Rodgers as just the 14th best quarterback in the NFL.
\"This entire time I haven\'t felt like I owe anyone a decision at any point,\" Rodgers said during an April 17 appearance on \"The Pat McAfee Show.\" \"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.\"